21 Jonathan’s Victory Over the Philistines

First Samuel 14 shifts the focus to Saul’s eldest son Jonathan, who as we’ll see, was an amazing military strategist and leader.

We’ll also see that Jonathan used great wisdom, with regards to relaying certain information and plans, even to his father Saul.

1 Jonathan’s Secret Mission

1 Samuel 14:1-3

While Saul relaxed near home, surrounded by 600 of his top soldiers, unbeknownst to him, his son Jonathan (moved by the Lord) was surveilling the Philistine army, to determine the best way to defeat them.

Jonathan purposely withheld his plans from his father, for two possible reasons:

• One possibility, is that knowing Saul’s ego, and propensity for taking credit for things which he shouldn’t, Jonathan possibly felt it would be a way of preventing his father from receiving credit.

Yet, that attitude see s contrary to everything Scripture says about Jonathan.

• Therefore, another possibility, is that Jonathan understood that it was God who had given the vision and desire to attack God’s enemies.

As believers, we must rely upon the promptings of the Holy Spirit. However, those promptings must be corroborated by God’s Word

2 Jonathan’s Strategy

Jonathan’s expertise as a military strategist is displayed in the following passage:

1 Samuel 14:4-7

We see that Jonathan certainly didn’t act in a privileged manner but risked his life as a military leader.

He and his armor-bearer had found a strategic (though physically dangerous) spot from which they could spy on the Philistine garrison, and where Jonathan could determine the best way to attack them.

Even though they determine the best area of attack, it would still be highly dangerous. But Jonathan knew that the Lord was leading him, in the same way the Lord desires to guide us:

Psalm 32:8

We see the great (and necessary) trust that Jonathan had in the Lord:

1 Samuel 14:6-7

Jonathan was also showing that unlike the actions of his father, who would take credit for the actions of others, Jonathan showed that the victory indeed belonged to the Lord, which should be the attitude each of us should have.

We also see Jonathan’s great faith:

1 Samuel 14:6c

God’s Word is clear, that there is no being or power that can retrain the Lord. However, there is one thing which will stop Him from acting, our unbelief:

Matthew 13:58

Jonathan wasn’t alone in displaying faith, but we also see the faith of the armor-bearer, who not only offered encouragement to Jonathan, but proclaimed that he would remain with him.

3 Jonathan Enacts a Plan

1 Samuel 14:8-14

Upon receiving the encouraging words from his servant, Jonathan then determined that they should show themselves, and address the Philistines.

While it was by all accounts an unusual course of action, Jonathan was giving the Lord the opportunity to work on their behalf.

When the Philistines saw Jonathan and the armor-bearer, they assumed the Israelites had been in hiding in the area and were only now appearing. They were taken aback and concerned, not realizing they were facing only two men.

However, Jonathan was now assured that the Lord was with him, and that his plan would succeed. Despite that fact, Jonathan understood that he would have a part to play, in that he and his servant would have to fight to obtain the victory.

There are many examples in Scripture of God using His people to fight from the point of victory.

4 The Lord’s Actions

1 Samuel 14:15-23

The Hebrew word for what we see translated as “trembling” literally means “consternation”.

The Philistines were greatly confused, and as shown in verse 15, we see the confusion came from more than Jonathan and the armor-bearer slaying so many Philistine soldiers in such a short time.

Their confusion had come from the Lord, since as we see from the text, an earthquake occurred at the same time.

In verse 16, we see that while King Saul had been unaware of the battle, his watchmen, who’s job was to surveil the Philistines, notice how the enemy’s armies were in disarray.

When the word was reported to Saul, he ordered a roll call, to determine of any of his army was responsible, and when the roll was taken, it was determined that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were indeed not present.

In verse 18, Saul then, hoping to maintain his image before the people, requested that the ark of the Covenant be brought before them.

However, it was a futile exercise since Jonathan had already engaged the Philistines in battle.

When the priest Ahijah reached into his ephod to consult the sacred Urim and Thummin, which the priests would use to consult the Lord, Saul ordered him not to do so.

Then in verse 20, after receiving the report that the Philistine army was in disarray, Saul decided it would be time for him to join the battle.

Obviously, King Saul wanted to be present, to receiving any credit for an Israelite victory.