While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, firmly placed; he who believes shall not act hastily.
He will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will ask for him about the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his word will they go out, and at his word they will come in, both he and all the Israelites with him, even all the assembly.”
Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come to the appointed assembly days, and the Philistines are gathering themselves together at Mikmash,
Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle. And behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, so that there was very great confusion.
Now Israel’s fighting men were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under a curse, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before it is evening, and I have been avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted any food.