1 Samuel 14:1-101Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. 2And 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; 3And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod'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. 4And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. 6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, 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. 7And his armorbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. 8Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. 9If 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. 10But 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. (1 Samuel 14:1‑10)
How refreshing it is, at this time when Israel was in such a weak state, and when there were only two swords in all the land of Israel, to notice how the Lord worked for the deliverance of His people. The Philistines’ army was large and well-equipped, and the spoilers had already gone out to spoil the land. Saul was afraid, too, and his followers were unarmed, but God was able, as He always is.
Jonathan was the only man in the whole land, apart from Saul, who had a sword, and Jonathan was a man of faith. He did not look at the sad state of Israel or muse over their weakness. Nor did he think of how impossible it all seemed, or blame his father for the state of things. His father might call them “Hebrews,” but to him they were “Israel,” the people of God, and he had the thoughts of God toward them. He did not go to his father for advice, for he knew he had no faith for such an “impossible situation,” but in the strength which the Lord gives to those who look to Him, he said to his armor-bearer, “Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison.” How touching this is, and full of deep meaning for us in a day when we are inclined to look at people and things, instead of looking to the Lord, and seeing His people so dear to Him—the objects of His care no matter how they have failed. This alone gives true courage and purpose of heart in a day of ruin.
While Jonathan with one truehearted helper was preparing for action, poor Saul and his six hundred men were in the uttermost part of Gibeah. Saul was under a pomegranate tree, while Jonhan was faced with two high and sharp rocks between him and the emy. Saul had the priest too, wearing the ephod (the form was there), but Jonathan had the Lord, and this is what made all the difference. Nevertheless there was no boasting or self-confidence with Jonathan, but a quiet spirit of humility, and a beautiful realization of what the Lord was able to do. He said to his armor-bearer therefore, “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.”
Jonathan’s armor-bearer was, as we have remarked, a true helper. He was not a hindrance in the work of the Lord, as so many are when dangers arise. One such helper is better than a crowd who are unwilling to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:33Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3)). Dear young reader, what kind of friends do you have? Far better to have only one or two who really want to follow the Lord, instead of many who would rather sit under “a pomegranate tree” than go forward and meet the difficulties of the path of faith. The armor-bearer’s reply to Jonathan was so encouraging, for he said, “Do all that is in thy heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.” The two of them then set forward at once, ready for whatever took place. It were better to die in conflict, than to bow to the enemies of the Lord and obtain a path of ease. Nevertheless they would not make difficulties for themselves—that would be the spirit of bravado, which is not of God. They would wait upon the Lord to open the way, if it were His will, for they knew He was able. And the Lord did open the way, for the enemy called them up, scorning their feeble attempt to overcome them. Soon the high and mighty rocks were left behind and victory was ahead.
ML 07/25/1954