19 Saul was talking to Ahijah the priest. {Saul was waiting for advice from God.} But the noise and confusion in the Philistine camp was growing and growing. {Saul was becoming impatient.} Finally, Saul said to Ahijah the priest, “That’s enough! Put your hand down {and stop praying}!”
19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thy hand.
19 And while Saul spoke to the priest, there arose a great tumult in the camp of the Philistines. And it was increasing, little by little, and it was being heard more clearly. And Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."
But Saul made a big mistake that day. [132] The Israelites were tired and hungry. This was because Saul forced the people to make this promise: Saul said, “If any man eats food before evening comes and before I finish defeating my enemies, then that man will be punished!” So none of the Israelite soldiers ate any food.
If Joshua needs to make a decision, then he will go to Eleazar the priest. Eleazar will use the Urim [325] to learn the Lord’s answer. Then Joshua and all the people of Israel will do the things God says. If he says, ‘go to war,’ then they will go to war. And if he says, ‘go home,’ then they will go home.”
Because of those things, the Lord my Master says, “I will put a rock—a cornerstone—in the ground in Zion. {\cf2\super [259]} This will be a very precious stone. {\cf2\super [260]} Everything will be built on this very important rock. Any person that trusts \{in that rock\} will not be disappointed.
Saul gathered his army together and went to the battle. The Philistine soldiers were really confused! They were even fighting each other with their swords!