1 SAMUEL 14

 

 

 

1 ¶ Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

 

2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;

 

• Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah — In the outworks of the city, where he had entrenched himself to observe the motions of the Philistines.

 

 

 

3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

 

• Ahijah- He was the great-grandson of Eli the High-Priest, another house which had been rejected of the Lord (2:22–36)
• Pastor Keith Krell writes:While Jonathan (the son) is on the move for the Lord, Saul (the dad) is sitting on his tail in fear. The reference in 14:3 to the rejected priestly house of Eli stresses the rejection of Saul’s royal house. Moreover, it reveals something of Saul’s inner life, who has apparently lost Samuel as his spiritual advisor. Since Samuel announced the end of Saul’s royal dynasty (13:13–14), the prophet has apparently been replaced by a member of the rejected family of Eli.
• Ephod- The ephod was used to consult God in a time of crisis. That was probably done by means of the Urim and Thummim attached to the breastplate of the ephod.—Ryrie Study Notes

 

 

 

4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock (rocky crag) on the one side, and a sharp rock (rocky crag) on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez (slippery or shining), and the name of the other Seneh (thorny or acacia).

 

• The Jewish historian Josephus mentions the location of this Philistine outpost in his writings. This was considered to be an impregnable fortress, due to the steep ascent to the top of the hill.

 

 

 

5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.

 

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

 

• Uncircumcised- a derogatory term used by the Israelites to describe the Philistines.
• No restraint- the NIV reads, nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.There is no such thing as “odds” when The Lord is on your side, leading you into a battle or a venture of faith.
• What wise courage in God! Many in Israel probably believed this as a theological truth. But few believed it enough to do something. Jonathan’s faith was demonstrated by his works. Mathew Poole
• In reality, the only thing that could be said to restrain God is our unbelief. In Matt 13:58, it says of one time in Jesus’ ministry, He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. God’s power is never restrained, but His will may be restrained by our unbelief. Numbers of odds can not restrain God, but unbelief in His power and promises can.
• Please take note that Jonathan did not place his faith in himself. F.B. Meyer says, “He had the smallest possible faith in himself, and the greatest faith in God.”

 

 

 

7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

 

• Every Jonathan in ministry has an armor bearer. He literally declared to Jonathan, I am with you heart and soul. God was going to use Jonathan, but He wasn’t going to use Jonathan alone. Almost always, when God uses a man, he calls others around that man to support and help him.

 

 

 

8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.

 

9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.

 

10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.

 

• In other words, Jonathan would determine the will of God by the reaction of the Philistines. This is not the same as Gideon’s setting of a fleece (Judges 6:36-40). Gideon had a confirmed word of God to guide him, and he doubted God’s word. Jonathan was not doubting God’s word, he was doubting his own heart and mind and was looking to God for confirmation.

 

• This was a rash and foolish attempt, if it be examined by common rules; but not so, if we consider the singular promises made to the Israelites, that five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. (Lev 26:8). Matthew Poole

 

 

 

11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

 

12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

 

• Jonathan does not say, into our hand, but into the hand of Israel; for he sought not his own deliverance and glory, butthe deliverance of Israel and the glory of God.

 

 

 

13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.

 

• It is probable that the garrison, after they had spoken to Jonathan and his armour-bearer, concerned themselves no further about them, so that they climbed up unperceived,and fell upon the Philistines unawares, and perhaps when they were unarmed.
• Jonathan doesn’t say it would be nice to do this. But the rocks are steep and there are a lot of Philistines up there.Let’s just pray instead. He got down on his hands and knees and climbed up that hill to battle the enemy.
• Is God calling you to a difficult task tonight? Is He calling you to an uphill, exhausting marriage restoration? Is He calling you to get out of debt, simplify your lifestyle, and prioritize Him with your finances? Is He calling you to break out of an addiction and finally be set free? Then get down on your hands and knees, put your hand to the plow and by the grace of God, do it!
• The Lord used the courage of one individual as a starting point to rescue His people. May God grant to each one of us the courage that we need to wrestle against the principalities of darkness and unbelief.

 

 

 

14 And that first slaughter (first attack), which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.

 

15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

 

• This sudden and unexpected attack of Jonathan and his armor bearer threw them into a panic fear.
• The earthquake affirms the fact that divine intervention aided Jonathan and his armorbearer in their raid. The earthquake sent by God was another cause of the panic among the Philistines.

 

 

 

16 ¶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.

 

• Saul's spies observed how the Philistine camp was in confusion due to the attack by Jonathan.—Ryrie Study Notes
• Saul was sitting while Jonathan was attacking. Saul watched things happen, but Jonathan trusted in God and made things happen. It has been said that when we play it safe, we squeeze God out of the formula. If we go where we know and do what we’re certain will succeed, we remove our need for God. Whenever we take on a God-sized challenge, self-sufficiency is no longer an option.
• Melted away- The Philistines were reeling, moving to and fro purposeless, and in confusion. Behold the multitude melted away — They were discomfited andscattered; so that fewer and fewer were seen in a company together.
• They went on beating down one another — Not being able in this confusion to distinguish their friends from their enemies, they began to attack one another.

 

 

 

17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.

 

• Saul seeks to know who was not in the camp so that he could determine who it was that was responsible for this attack.

 

 

 

18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

 

• The ark at this time was at Kiriath-jearim, from which it was not removed for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:2). It may, however, have been brought to Gibeah temporarily. The LXX reads "ephod," an object that could have been used for decision making —Ryrie Study Notes

 

 

 

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 (NIV,the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more): and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.

 

• Withdraw your hand.I.e., "Don't consult God now; there is no time!"—Ryrie Study Notes
• A lack of concern for the Lord’s direction remained an ongoing problem with Saul’s leadership. Covenant leadership,  be it leadership in the church, in the home, on the job or in the classroom requires courage. But it also requires waiting on the Lord. Are you accustomed to waiting on the Lord for His direction, or do you rush into things prayerlessly and then cry out to God to fix your mess?
• Saul feared that by delaying the attack he would lose the advantage of the general confusion in the Philistine camp. Here again Saul displayed lack of patience in determining the will of God.—Wycliffe Bible Commentary, The

 

 

 

20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

 

• It appears that the only reason that Saul and the rest of the army went into battle was because victory seemed to be assured. The Lord had confounded the enemy.
• Beloved, faith in God confounds the enemy. Praise and worship confounds the enemy. Prayer confounds the enemy. Forgiveness confounds the enemy.

 

 

 

21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

 

• The Hebrews that were with the Philistines — Having gone with their army, either by constraint, as servants, or in policy, to gain their favour and protection.
• They also turned to be with the Israelites — In the midst of this battle they return to their own countrymen.

 

 

 

22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.

 

• With the report of victory the Israelite deserters (or mercenaries) returned, and those who had avoided the initial confrontation joined in the battle.—Ryrie Study Notes

 

 

 

23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.

 

• At the end of the day, at the end of our lives, we realize that any and all victories that we have experienced are because of the grace and power of God.

 

 

 

24 ¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

 

• So desirous was Saul of avenging himself against his enemies that he neglected the needs of his own men and swore a foolish oath that almost cost the life of his son.—Ryrie Study Notes
• Waltke, in his Old Testament theology series writes, A general who withholds food from his army during battle isn’t quite right in the head.
• The oath doesn’t focus on God’s honor or Israel’s national security. Instead, Saul viewed this war as a personal fight not a fight for God. Saul’s desire is not the glory of God. It is the glory of Saul.

 

 

 

25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.

 

26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

 

27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

 

28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.

 

29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

 

30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?

 

• Jonathan declares that his father’s advice is neither wise nor good. He is not being disrespectful, he is being truthful. 

 

 

 

31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

 

• A distance of some twenty miles.—Wycliffe Bible Commentary, The

 

 

 

32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.

 

• In their hunger, the Israelites broke the law doubly: first in killing calves with their dams on the same day (Le 22:28), and secondly, more seriously, they disobeyed the prohibition against eating meat with blood (Leviticus 17:10-14).
• They who made conscience of obeying the king’s commandment, for fear of the curse, made no scruple of transgressing God’s command. Benson

 

 

 

33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.

 

• The purpose of this stone was to raise up the carcasses of the slaughtered animals from the ground, so that the blood might drain away from them.
• Note how easy it was for Saul to say, you have sinned, and how reluctant it was for him to say I have sinned. But that is not only true of Saul it is true of you and me and every single person in this building tonight.

 

 

 

34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

 

·      Saul had the animals slain on an altar so that the blood could be drained.—Ryrie Study Notes

 

 

 

35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.

 

• This is the first and only account of Saul building an altar unto The Lord.

 

 

 

36 ¶ And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

 

37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

 

38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

 

• Saul rightly perceives that the reason for God’s silence was because of sin in the camp. Iniquity in the heart is a reason that God does not hear our prayers.

 

 

 

39 For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

 

• Another foolish oath by Saul!—Ryrie Study Notes
• With this foolish oath is a biblical truth…it is The Lord that saves His people Israel, not themselves.

 

 

 

40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.

 

41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.

 

42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

 

• By casting lots it was determined that Jonathan was the one in violation of Saul's foolish oath.—Ryrie Study Notes

 

 

 

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.

 

44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

 

• This shows the rashness and folly of Saul. Saul is ready to put his son to death for this infraction because he violated - not God’s Word, - but Saul’s word. 

 

 

 

45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

 

• The people rescued. Hebrew, ransomed. This does not mean that another person was killed in Jonathan's place. The ransom paid might be the life of an animal or a sum of money (Ex 12:21-23; 13:11-15; 30:12-15).—Wycliffe Bible Commentary, The

 

 

 

46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.

 

47 ¶ So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

 

• Saul took the kingdom — That is, resumed the administration of it, after he had, in a manner, lost it by the Philistines, who had almost got the entire possession of it, and enslaved Israel.

 

 

 

48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.

 

·      Amalekites. Nomadic descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12) who fought against Israel at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-13) and were placed under divine judgment (Deut. 25:19).—Ryrie Study Notes

 

·      Saul’s military accomplishments were significant and expanded Israel’s borders in all directions: to the S (Edom), E (Ammon and Moab), N (Zobah), and W (Philistia). The defeat of the Amalekites is recorded in chap. 15.

 

 

 

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

 

50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

 

• Saul’s children, Jonathan and Michal, would both play significant roles in the life of the next king, David. Nothing further is known of Saul’s wife or other children mentioned here.

 

 

 

51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

 

52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.

 

 

 

The account of Jonathan and his armor bearer is challenging and convicting. It reveals the difference between theology in the head and theology in the heart.

 

You and I have no control over when you die or (most often) how we die, but we do have control over how we choose to live!

 

By stepping out in faith against all odds, Jonathan wasn’t choosing to die; he was choosing how he would live. Choose to live rightly and righteously beloved.

 

By living a life of prayer, faith and worship of The Lord we confound the enemy.

 

Lets pray….