1 Samuel 14:1 – One day Jonathan, son of Saul, said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.
Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. (Some sources say “in the pomegranate cave.” And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men, including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.
Now there were cliffs on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba. Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.”
So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!”
So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!”
“Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”
And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men over half an acre of land.
Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God.
Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.”
And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.) While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor. And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps of the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.”
Was Jonathan Saul’s son? The Bible is a little vague on dates; however, there is a helpful timeline at https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-maps-timeline-chronology-1samuel-16-20-saul-jonathan-david-1019-1012bc.htm. According to this timeline, Saul was born in 1082 and Jonathan was born in 1067 when Saul was 25. By the time of the battles described in 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan might have been at least 20 and would already be a seasoned warrior. The Israelites had been fighting guerilla warfare against the Philistines for many years. While Saul and his men are lodged on the outskirts of Gibeah, Jonathan and his armor bearer take off on a mission of their own. Does Jonathan really believe in God? Certainly, Jonathan’s explanation to his armor – bearer would suggest it. ““Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” If Jonathan is a believer, that would help explain one of the reasons that David and he later bond together. Unfortunately, Saul is still depending on other people for faith, and second – hand faith is worthless.
Jonathan and his armor – bearer attack the Philistines, slaughtering twenty men. Then God weighs in, sending an earthquake and creating such panic that the Philistines begin attacking one another! Turncoat Hebrews who have attached themselves to the Philistines suddenly have a change of heart, joining Saul’s forces. Other Israelites who have been hiding in the hills also join Saul’s forces.
APPLICATION: What was the difference between Saul and Jonathan? Saul had the kingship and should have been able to inspire men to join him; however, Saul was sitting with 600 men doing nothing except watching the Philistines when Jonathan and his armor – bearer went out and attacked the Philistines, trusting God to help them. Jonathan had faith and Saul did not.
Saul was settling for being safe and prudent, but when he wanted to hear from God, he had to involve the high priest. Saul was even about to employ the ark as some kind of talisman when the roar of battle from the Philistine camp became deafening. Saul might not have had faith, but he knew a battle when he heard one.
Perhaps today you find yourself caught between Jonathan’s approach and Saul’s. You have prayed and feel that God is calling you to do something wonderful, something so audacious that if God does not help you, you will fail miserably. You can probably identify with Jonathan and his armor – bearer as they climbed up that cliff with those Philistine soldiers waiting to murder them. It’s as if you find yourself scrambling for footing and handholds while you concentrate on the actions you must take as soon as you reach the top of the cliff. One wrong move and you will be annihilated with your work in ruins.
TAKE HEART!!! The same God who empowered Jonathan and his armor – bearer to gain that victory is the very God who is calling you to step out and take risks for Him. Remember Jonathan’s words to his armor – bearer:
“Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help all who are reading this devotional to wait on Your guidance but to step out in faith when they feel Your leading. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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