1 Samuel: Chapter 14
This chapter records the defeat of Philistines through Jonathan, Saul’s rash oath, and ends with an account of Saul’s continuing wars.
Chapter Recap
The chapter begins with Jonathan and his armor bearer heading over to a Philistine garrison, unbeknownst to Saul and others. Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men among whom was Ahijah, the priest. Jonathan pressed forward saying “it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few”, and his armor bearer followed him stating, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.” Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.” So both of them revealed themselves, and the Philistines called them up, so Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” They both climbed up and killed about twenty men within about half an acre of land.
Then a panic sent by God struck the Philistines and shook the ground. Meanwhile, Saul was informed of the confusion in the enemy’s camp, and he gathered that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were missing. Saul also asks Ahijah to bring the ark of God, but seeing the tumult in the Philistine camp he proceeds to head against them, not waiting to hear back from the LORD. Saul and his men assembled and went to battle, with even the deserters joining them as the battle progressed. The Philistines fled, and the LORD saved Israel that day.
The men of Israel, however, were distressed that day because Saul had placed them under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So, none of the people tasted food. Jonathan did not know of this oath (for it might have been issued when he and his armor bearer sneaked off to fight), and it came to pass that the people found some honey in the forest, but no one dared to take it. Jonathan, oblivious, stretched out the end of the rod and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his countenance brightened. After this, he was told about his father’s oath, which he remarks as rash and comments how great the victory would have been had the army not stayed away from food.
Soon after the people pushed the Philistines away from their borders, they rushed on the spoils and slaughtered sheep and oxen on the ground and ate them with the blood. This was unlawful. When Saul was told about this, he arranged a place where the men could slaughter cattle there and eat.
Saul still wanted to pursue the Philistines, but when he enquired the LORD (through the priest), the LORD did not answer him. Assuming this was probably because of some sin among the people, he called for lots, with he and his son on one side and the rest on the other side, stating that the person who sinned shall die. The lot fell on Saul and Jonathan. Enquiring Jonathan about what he did, Saul learns that Jonathan had eaten some honey, and true to his word, was ready to put Jonathan to death. However, the people interceded pointing out that the victory was because of Jonathan and his faith and bravery. So Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines.
The chapter closes with a summary of Saul’s military campaigns, an account of his family and the establishment of his sovereignty over Israel. There was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul and whenever Saul saw any strong or valiant man, he took him, fulfilling the words of Samuel about kingship.
Jonathan - a son unlike the father
In the previous chapter we heard about Jonathan attacking the garrison of the Philistines in Geba, which marked the start of this war. Now, we see him not as a military commander, but rather as a man of faith. Jonathan, from the start, clearly understood that the battle is the LORD’s and they were just filling in their respective roles. This enabled him to go out purely on faith alone. Any rational person would know the risks of taking an outpost without any backup, it is possible that for this reason Jonathan did not tell his father about his whereabouts.
We also see the faith Jonathan had spilling over to his armor bearer as well. Jonathan reaffirms this with his statements. The response of the Philistines "come up to us", was taken as a sign that the LORD was leading and would grant them victory. The taunting words of the enemies was turned into a challenge for the young men of faith. Thus, the assault of Jonathan and his armor bearer was not a foolheartedly adventure, but rather an act of faith. Since Jonathan followed the divine impulse with wholehearted resolve to follow the LORD's guidance, the LORD gives them the victory they needed.
Saul - a lost man
Samuel did a number on Saul in the previous chapter. That left Saul quite at a loss. (Maybe this was another motivation for Jonathan to completely follow the LORD). Saul, now attempts a partial reformation. He sent for a priest and the ark. Alas, his heart was unhumbled and unchanged. The news of the Philistines in turmoil reached Saul. This was clearly the hand of the LORD. So, Saul begins to inquire the LORD, however, he leaves in haste to fight a fallen enemy without hearing the answer the LORD has for him. The mark of an unhumbled heart. Saul's harsh unwise order to not eat any food, ironically reflects his lack of spiritual food. He did not sit first at the LORD's feet for counsel and guidance, which would be his daily spiritual filling. The mark of an unchanged heart. Yet, he builds an altar and dedicates it to the LORD. Zeal without godliness.
Immediately after this, we see that the LORD turns away his prayer, and he is quick to think that it is because of sin, but never looks inwards. When he discovers that Jonathan was the offender, his impatient reaction to have his son put to death is uncharacteristic, even for Saul. But funnily enough, someone who did not regard the LORD's command, was really offended when his command was not obeyed. In essence, Saul turned, for the worse. Jonathan understood that the battle was for the LORD, but Saul treated it as his own, for his own glory. His lack of humbleness and pursuit for pride and glory, in addition to his unwillingness in obeying the LORD’s word wholeheartedly, were a prime factor in his downfall.
What can we take away from this chapter? One, the LORD will always direct the steps of those that acknowledge him in all their ways and seek him for direction, with a heart resolved to follow his guidance. Two, we get more comfort in things which are done less by us and more by God. We see this in Jonathan. Three, the one who truly believes will not make haste, nor treat any business as urgent, and use that as an excuse to not take time to call upon God. Four, if one doesn't get any reply for prayers, it is because of sin, and one should look inwards first. We learn these from Saul. See you in the next one! Take care of yourself and each other!
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