ADULTS STS LESSON 210 JONATHAN TRIUMPHS OVER THE PHILISTINES
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, 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” (1 Samuel 14:6).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 14:1-52
The outcome of the war between Israel and the Philistines in the text illustrates the need to trust God than depend on carnal weapons and arms of the flesh in fighting the battles of life. The Philistines had chariots, horses and deadly weapons at their disposal. The size of their army was also frightening, compared to Israel’s three thousand soldiers that dwindled with time to only six hundred. In spite of this drawback, the children of Israel won with a resounding victory over the Philistines because Jonathan acted with courage and faith in God. It shows that God does not require carnal weapons or human skills to win any battle. It is also clear that as one sinner does much evil, a single man of faith, courage and wisdom can do much good. Worthy of note is also the fact that Saul failed God but Jonathan, his son, decided to be different.
Overconfidence and dependence on human skills and multitude of people brought defeat and disappointment to the Philistines. They were overconfident because of their military skills, superior weapons and numerical advantage over Israel. Also, the Israelites who put their trust in Saul whom they had requested to be king over them to fight their battles were disillusioned by the sight of their opponents even before the battle started. They were so distressed and had to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, high places and pits (1 Samuel 13:6). As believers, our confidence should be in God who is able to save, no matter the challenges that tend to limit us. “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever” (Psalm 125:1).
1. LCOURAGE AND FAITH OF JONATHAN (1 Samuel 14:1-23; 13:3; Deuteronomy 20:1-4; Joshua 1:5,9; 2 Chronicles 32:7,8; 20:15-24; Psalm 33:16,17; Mark 9:23,24)
While the morale of Israel’s army was very low and Saul sat under a tree, surrounded by trembling soldiers undecided on what step to take, the Philistine raiders also cut off any hope of reinforcement from the northern tribes. But Jonathan decided to take an extraordinary step of faith. He “…said to the young man that bare his armour, 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” (1 Samuel 14:6). He sneaked out of Israel’s camp with his armour-bearer and initiated an attack against the Philistines without telling his father. This was a bold step of faith.
Believers need to act like Jonathan by standing up among doubters and unbelievers who are given to fear, superstition and mere tradition. To accomplish extraordinary feats for God, one must step out of the crowd that is transfixed by fear, failure and sense of defeat. That was the reason God instructed the Israelites not to allow those who were fearful go with them to battle. In the battles of life, we must be courageous and ready to take steps of faith.
Jonathan told his armour-bearer his plan and expressed his faith in God’s power to save. He asked to know God’s mind by a sign to prove He had given them the victory. It was not out of place for Jonathan to ask for guidance from God with the aid of a sign. The practice is in agreement with the dispensation in which he lived, and others had used it profitably (Genesis 24:13,14; Judges 6:17-21, 36-40). But believers in the New Testament dispensation cannot take these as precedents. We are to walk by faith and not by sight. We do not depend on signs for guidance but on the word of God and the Holy Spirit. Whenever we need God’s leading over any issue of life, the proper step to take is to pray, find what the Scripture says about the subject and follow the principles or precepts shown. The Holy Spirit has been sent to indwell believers in order to guide them into all truth. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
God honoured the faith of Jonathan and his armour-bearer. His unexpected boldness probably surprised the Philistines who were caught off guard. Then, God struck the Philistines with terror and they began to kill one another and many of them fled. In addition to the supernatural terror upon them, God also caused the earth to quake in their camp. The confusion of the Philistines was quickly noticed by Saul and the few men with him. Thereafter, Saul and the Israelites rallied together in pursuit and defeat of the Philistines. “So the LORD saved Israel that day”.
2. CONFUSION AND FURORE OVER THE FATE OF JONATHAN (1 Samuel 14:24-46; Judges 11:30-35; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6; Mark 6:21-27)
After God had confused the Philistines and Israel set to overrun them, Saul displayed a kind of religious zeal that lacked wisdom. “And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food” (1 Samuel 14:24). Ostensibly, Saul consigned the fighting men to a total fast in an attempt to get them fully committed to the plunder of the Philistines, but it was a needless and counter-productive decision. Already, God had given Israel the victory and all they needed was to pursue the Philistines and plunder them.
Definitely, the fighting men would need food to replenish their strength but Saul’s oath denied them this basic need. It was tantamount to placing a heavy yoke on the people who were just coming out of their demoralised condition. God never commanded Israel’s soldiers to fast at the war front, but Saul added his own idea to the divine prescription. Clearly then, this rash oath was another manifestation of Saul’s self-will and religious hypocrisy. He wanted to take credit for a victory he did not initiate or execute. He wanted it to appear as if the victory came about because of the fast he imposed.
However, the absurdity of the oath becomes more obvious when we consider its consequences: the people were distressed, fainting and complaining. It also limited the victory of Israel because some of the Philistines were able to escape. But the most appalling effect was the risk to Jonathan’s life; he was to die for violating the oath albeit ignorantly. He was not present when Saul placed the curse on anyone who would taste any food. He found honey in the field and ate, whereas other soldiers felt restricted by the oath. It was a terrible anti-climax that Jonathan, whom God had used to achieve victory for Israel, had to be executed by his own commander, just because of an irrational oath.
Worse still, the people were so hungry to the extent that they killed their prey contrary to God’s commandment, and ate the meat with blood because they could not wait to cook it. Thus, the people of Israel were placed in a situation where they kept the commandment of a man but broke God’s law (Leviticus 3:17; 7:26,27; Deuteronomy 12:16; Mark 7:6-13). Church leaders and pastors should, in no way, insist on forcing their will on members contrary to God’s word.
The life of Saul shows some contradictions which are also observable in many religious people. Saul who had earlier disobeyed God was very eager to enforce his own command, even if it meant killing his own son. Many people disobey God’s law but are so strict in enforcing their own rules and demanding total submission from others. In addition, Saul sat under a pomegranate tree, unable to initiate any step against the Philistines; but no sooner had Jonathan taken the initiative through God’s help, than Saul took over, attempting to play the hero (1 Samuel 14:12, 16-24; 13:3). Taking the credit for what others accomplished is not a virtue. Also, he placed more emphasis on outward religious observances such as sacrifices, fasting and oaths more than obedience and humility before God (1 Samuel 13:9-14; 14:24; 15:9, 13-25).
“And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan” (1 Samuel 14:44). Saul’s attempt to kill Jonathan because he violated his oath pitched him against the people and almost rubbished what should have been a great victory celebration. But Saul could have avoided this unfortunate situation if he had consulted with God first. Believers can avoid Saul’s error in leadership and decision-making by seeking God’s guidance in everything, consulting with others and taking counsel from Spirit-filled leaders or colleagues. Also, thought should be taken to appraise the effect their decision would have on others — children, youths, married people, etc. Then, they should be flexible and make provision for unforeseen circumstances and exceptions to the rule and be prepared to change when the decision is found to be unscriptural or counterproductive.
3. COOPERATION WITH AND FAITH IN GOD FOR VICTORY (1 Samuel 14:6, 7, 12, 47-52; Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 3:5; 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; 10:27; 16:20)
“And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them” (1 Samuel 14:48). Israel’s victory over the Philistines came about as a result of divine-human partnership. Jonathan and his armour-bearer cooperated to initiate the attack against the Philistines despite the risk involved and the great odds against Israel. They took a step of faith and trusted God to give them the victory. God also worked with them and honoured their faith by terrifying the Philistines. To win in any area of life and ministry, believers need to partner with God and trust Him.
But they also need the cooperation of other people of like precious faith too. Though Jonathan initiated the attack, he and his armour-bearer could not have won the victory without the cooperation of other Israelites. Their kind of cooperation is what believers need to achieve victory in life, family and ministry. Christian leaders need workers who can support and follow them in faith as they pursue the vision of world evangelisation. Fellow-workers must also be of the same mind and purpose. “Two are better than one” because we cannot fight the battles of life alone. Our foes are formidable and we are weak in ourselves except God helps us. We need to cooperate with Him and with one another.
All of life is about God working with men and women. In the field of evangelism, as we preach the gospel, He works with us by confirming the word with signs and wonders.
Questions for review:
- From the text, why is it wrong to put our confidence in man in the battles of life?
- What can believers learn from Jonathan’s bold step of faith that brought victory to Israel?
- Why was Saul’s oath unnecessary?
- Give examples of similar rash oaths in the Scripture.
- How can leaders avoid the kind of counterproductive decision taken by Saul?
- Why is cooperation essential for victory in life?
- Explain why “Two are better than one…”
