1 Samuel 14:6 - A Lesson on Presumption.
1 Samuel 14:6 - A Lesson on Presumption.
1 Samuel 14:6 (NIV) Jonathan said to his young 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 Samuel 14:6 (NLT) "Let's go across to see those pagans,"
Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the LORD will help us, for
nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many
warriors or only a few!"
APPLICATION COMMENTARY
Jonathan, not Saul, was the true leader in Israel. The contrast
between the two is striking. Saul was sitting while Jonathan was
attacking the enemy. Saul trusted his growing army, but Jonathan trusted
God and did not depend on numbers (v. 6). Saul watched things
happen, but Jonathan "made" things happen.
Saul tried to impress people with an oath, but Jonathan did what
was necessary to fight the battle. Saul weakened the army; Jonathan
strengthened the army and challenged it to new victories.
Saul was great on words but weak on deeds. (See Matt. 7:21-29.)
[Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re 1 Samuel 14]
Most of what we read about Jonathan is in the context of his
role as David's trusted friend and ally. This story in 1 Samuel 14
reveals that Jonathan was a great man of faith in his own right. He
believed that whatever God called him to do was possible. Who would have
thought that two soldiers could set in motion the defeat of a whole
army? But Jonathan followed God step by step. First he decided to go.
Then he recruited the logical assistant, his armor-bearer who had
accompanied him in the heat of battle before. Then he watched for the Lord's
guidance: "That will be the LORD'S sign that he will help us defeat them"
(14:9-10). Jonathan was right. With each step he followed God's guidance,
and he found the strength to do what was required. Jonathan took
action and relied on God for guidance and power. It is not the strength
that you find in yourself that carries you through the challenges.
Instead, it is the strength of God's presence that enables you to face
life, as precarious as it can be, and accomplish great things. [The
One Year Bible for New Believers re 1 Samuel 14:6-10]
Jonathan and his armor-bearer weren't much of a force to attack
the huge Philistine army. But while everyone else was afraid, they
trusted God, knowing that the size of the enemy army would not restrict
God's ability to help them. God honored the faith and brave action of
these two men with a tremendous victory. Have you ever felt surrounded
by the "enemy" or faced overwhelming odds? God is never intimidated
by the size of the enemy or the complexity of a problem. With him,
there are always enough resources to resist the pressures and win the
battle. If God has called you to action, then bravely commit what
resources you have to God, and rely upon him to lead you to victory. [Life
Application SB]
Because of the sin of Saul in his presumptuous offering, the
Lord would not give to him the honor of commanding the armies of
Israel in battle with the Philistines. The Lord would have his name
alone magnified lest the armies of Israel should exalt themselves as
though it were on account of their righteousness, valor or wisdom, that
their enemies were overcome. He moved upon the heart of Jonathan, a
righteous man, and his armor-bearer, to go over to the garrison of the
Philistines. Jonathan believed that God was able to work for them, and save
by many or by few. He did not rush up presumptuously. He asked
counsel of God, then with a fearless heart, trusting in him alone, he
moved forward. Through these two men the Lord accomplished his work of
subduing the Philistines. He sent angels to protect Jonathan and his
armor-bearer and shield them from the instruments of death in the hands of
their enemies.
Angels of God fought by the side of Jonathan, and the
Philistines fell all around him. Great fear seized the host of the
Philistines in the field and in the garrison. And the spoilers that had been
divided into separate companies, and sent in different directions, ready
for their work of slaughter, were terribly afraid. The earth
trembled beneath them, as though a great multitude with horsemen and
chariots were upon the ground prepared for battle. Jonathan and his
armor-bearer, and even the Philistine host knew that the Lord was working for
the deliverance of the Hebrews. The Philistines became perplexed.
There appeared to them to be men of Israel among them, fighting
against them; and they fought against one another, and slaughtered their
own armies. {4aSG 70}
In Jonathan, the son of Saul, the Lord saw a man of pure
integrity,--one to whom He could draw nigh, and upon whose heart He could move.
. . .
Jonathan and his armor-bearer gave evidence that they were
moving under the influence and command of a more than human general. To
outward appearance, their venture was rash, and contrary to all military
rules. But the action of Jonathan was not done in human rashness. He
depended not on what he and his armor-bearer themselves could do; he was
the instrument that God used in behalf of His people Israel. They
made their plans, and rested their cause in the hands of God. If the
armies of the Philistines challenged them, they would advance. If they
said, Come, they would go forward. . . . Jonathan and his armor-bearer
had asked a sign of the Lord; and the challenge had come, the sign
was given. These two men placed their hope in God, and went forward.
It was no easy passage for the brave adventurers. They had hard
climbing to reach the top. . . .
It would have been an easy matter for the Philistines to kill
these two brave, daring men; but it did not enter into their minds
that these two solitary men had come up with any hostile intent. The
wondering men above looked on, too surprised to take in their possible
object. They regarded these men as deserters, and permitted them to come
without harm. . . . "And they fell before Jonathan; and his
armour-bearer slew after him." . . . This daring work sent a panic through the
camp. There lay the dead bodies of twenty men, and to the sight of the
enemy there seemed hundreds of men prepared for war. The armies of
heaven were revealed to the opposing host of the Philistines. {SD 208}
Spiritual victories often come from small steps taken for God.
When you are facing a difficult situation that is beyond your
control, ask yourself, What steps can I take now to work toward a
solution? A few small steps may be just what is needed to begin the chain
of events leading to eventual victory. [Life Application SB]
Jonathan's bold plan is undertaken as an act of faith (Heb
11:33-34) founded on God's promise (9:16). [NIV SB]
1 Samuel 9:16 (NLT) "About this time tomorrow I will send you a
man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my
people, Israel. He [God] will rescue them from the Philistines, for I
have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry."
Zech. 4:6 (KJV) Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,
This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might,
nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Philip. 3:3 (KJV) For we are the circumcision, which worship
God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the flesh.
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