Day 14: 1 Samuel 14:1–14

Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father (v. 1).

Saul, a man with such potential, squandered the kingdom through his disobedience. Now we meet a character who was as noble as Saul was disappointing—Jonathan, son of King Saul, a man vastly different from his father. The one who became so dear to David is sure to become dear to us.

Once again Saul, Jonathan, and the Israelite army faced a far superior force of Philistines. The Israelites were literally hiding in fear. Jonathan obviously decided the army of the mighty God need not hide.

In one of the great statements of faith backed by action, Jonathan said to his armor-bearer:

“Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (1 Sam. 14:6).

They challenged the Philistine detachment holding the pass at Micmash. God showed them they should attack. So the two climbed up to the soldiers, killed twenty men, and began the battle. Before the day ended, the Israelites won a great victory over the Philistines.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer were impressive and worthy men. I am amazed by them in two ways. First, Jonathan’s perception of the Lord’s ways impresses me. His keen perception of the Lord certainly did not come from his father, because Jonathan’s understanding exceeded that of Saul. Second, Jonathan had his own relationship with the Lord, completely separate from his father’s. He made two profound statements in verse 6:

1. “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.”

2. “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

Consider how these statements reveal Jonathan’s distinct perception of God’s ways: Jonathan knew the Lord could save, no matter who or how many were fighting the battle. In fact, he knew that if God chose to save, nothing could hinder Him! His faith in God’s strength and determination stood solidly; God could do anything. Jonathan’s only question was whether God would choose to do it through them that day. Whether or not He did, Jonathan understood God’s response to be based on sovereignty, not weakness.

Jonathan began the battle that quickly turned into a rout. God sent panic on the Philistines until they killed one another. The Israelites merely chased the Philistines in a mopping-up operation.

Then Jonathan’s father, the king, entered the picture. Saul saw the Philistine army in disarray and ordered the Israelites into battle. In the process he did an impulsive and stupid thing. Saul “bound the people under an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!’ ” (1 Sam. 14:24). He forced the army into an ill-advised and non-God-directed fast.

I believe we need to take a lesson in two ways from Saul’s impulsive action. First, we simply need to beware of decisions made on impulse. Saul displayed an excessive capacity for action without consulting either God or good sense. The second lesson from Saul’s action relates specifically to our eating habits. Many people indulge in fasting that does not come from God. Some carry dieting to fatal extremes. I have known friends who have died as a result of depriving their bodies of food. Remember from Saul’s impulsive command: only God has the right to call a fast.

Hasty self-centered vows can cost us. Since Jonathan was not in the camp, he did not hear his father’s command. As the army chased the Philistines, they became exhausted. They came to a place where a beehive had been broken open. Jonathan ate some of the honey.

In this story we encounter an amazing and humbling truth: God expected the people to obey the king even when his edicts made no sense. So the next day when they inquired of God, He remained silent. Through a process of elimination, they discovered that Jonathan had disobeyed the command of Saul. The king would have put his own son to death, but the men would not allow it.

God tried to teach Saul a very serious lesson that day. Saul’s pride could have caused him to keep a foolish vow. Better to repent than to add foolishness to foolishness.

In the account of the battle and its aftermath, we see evidence that God is for us, not against us. He wants us fortified before our enemy with faith like Jonathan’s, obedience like the armor-bearer’s, and proper fuel like Saul’s army should have received.