1 Samuel 14
14:1-15 – JONATHAN ADVANCES AGAINST THE PHILISTINES
As chapter thirteen comes to a close, Israel and the giant Philistine army are gathered on opposite sides of a valley. The forces of Saul are woefully outnumbered – Saul having only six hundred men at his disposal. Jonathan, the son of the king, determines that Israel needed to launch forth in battle. His trust in God is seen in 14:6 where he refers to the Philistines as “uncircumcised” and “the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.”
The opening verses of this chapter set up a contrast between the king and his son. The difference in their personalities and character cannot be downplayed. The high priest was present and was wearing the ephod, 14:3. He had the ark of the Lord with him. Yet, Saul delays in launching the attack. Jonathan, who had already had success in initiating the battle at the Philistine garrison in Geba, (13:3), felt confident that God would be with him on this occasion. Jonathan may have well remembered that this war with the Philistines was a “holy war” ordered by a prophet, 10:7-8. Jonathan is presented as a courageous person who looked to and trusted God as he went forth. Had Saul not acted impatiently in making the ceremonial offering (13:8-10), this man would have been the next king. In the text, it almost seems as if Saul is paralyzed by fear instead of launching forth in trust.
Jonathan told his armor bearer that when they crossed the valley and started up the other side toward the Philistine encampment that if the enemy told them to stay in the valley they would stand in that place. But if the Philistines told them to come up the valley toward them, then they would know that the Lord gave them into their hand. When Jonathan and his armor bearer get down in the valley, the Phiistines hailed them to come to them. The Philstines were arrogant and assumed they would have an easy time if hostilities arose. Behold, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves, 14:11. When Jonathan and his armor bearer sucessfully climb to the top of the other side of the valley, they quickly killed twenty men over the span of fifteen to twenty yards (Smith, p. 295). As they attack, there was an earthquake, which brought panic to the entire Philistine army. The text describes the Philistine warriors as “melting away…(going) here and there”, 16:16.
14:16-23 – SAUL JOINS THE BATTLE
As the commotion across the valley grows, Saul is curious as to who started the battle. A count is taken, and it is determined that Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing. Saul calls for the ark of the Lord, and speaks with the priest. He then tells the priest to “withdraw your hand” and rallies the troops against the Philistines. There was great confusion amongst the Philistines and as the Israelites begin to sense they have the upper hand, all the Hebrew mercenaries turned on the Philistines and fought against them. Even those who had fled previously into caves and the hill country quickly returned to fight against Philistia. The Israelites won the battle due to the power of the Lord. So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven, 14:23.
14:24-46 – SAUL’S FOOLISH/RASH OATHS
For some reason, as the troops rush into battle, Saul makes an oath without thinking. He forbade his troops from pausing to eat until he had avenged himself on all his enemies, 14:24. As the day wore on, even though the people were hungry, each person determined not to eat, no matter how hungry he was, under fear of the oath. Saul’s oath was rash, at best. Without sustenance, his men became too tired to effectively wage battle. After the battle concluded, his men were so hungry they ignored the divine prohibition against eating blood, 14:32.
Jonathan had not heard about Saul’s oath, and when he came upon the honey that was in the forest, he took some and was immediately refreshed. Someone then alerted him of his father’s oath, to which he seems to be very critical. Jonathan believed that had the oath not been in effect, the Israelites would have had even more success that day against the Philistines, 14:29-30.
When Saul heard of the people sinning by eating meat with blood, he criticized the people for “acting treacherously, 14:33. He commanded a stone be brought to him that served as an altar. Here, he ensured the animals were killed and the law followed as God desired, Leviticus 7:26-27. Chapter 14:35 is especially insightful as it notes this is the first altar Saul built for the Lord. It seems that the building of the altar here was an afterthought – maybe an effort to appease the Lord because of the sin of the people.
After eating, Saul determined that it would be prudent to continue the fight against the Philistines through the night. His troops responded affirmatively, but the priest stopped him and said they needed to inquire of the Lord. Saul inquires of the Lord, but God does not answer. When God did not answer, Saul figured out there must be sin in the camp. He sent his top commanders to investigate. As he does, he issues a second rash vow saying, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die, 14:39. His commanders refused to tell him that his son was indeed to blame. So, Saul decides to cast lots, calling upon the Lord to determine who was guilty of violating the king’s oath. Saul lined up himself and Jonathan on one side and his troops on the other. The lot fell on Saul and Jonathan. Saul then cast lots between himself and his son. Jonathan was taken.
When confronted, Jonathan explained exactly what happened. After explaining, the text reveals that Jonathan was prepared to die. Saul then makes a third rash oath, repeating in front of the people that his son must die because he had violated the king’s command. At this point, the troops rise up against Saul. The people knew that it was because of the bravery of Jonathan that they had an opportunity for victory that day. They believed God was with him as he bravely fought against the Philistines. The text says that after this, Saul backed down from killing his son. These events caused all the positive momentum gained amongt the troops to be lost. Saul had to cease from pursuing the fleeing Philistines. Had he not made these rash oaths, Israel may have very well pursued the Philistines and beaten them decisively, 14:45-46.
14:47-52 – DETAILS OF SAUL’S REIGN
The final verses of the chapter give us details into years of Saul’s reign. He had some significant victories against the enemies of Israel. Saul’s family grew and prospered. His uncle was named captain of the army. During his reign as king, Saul constantly found himself dealing with the Philistine threat. When brave men were found, they were forced into military service for the king.
FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN
Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few. These words were spoken by the king’s son, Jonathan, as he determined to begin the hostilities against the Philistines. Israel found itself in a desperate situation. Woefully outnumbered, soldiers with homemade weaponry, and trembling in fear, Jonathan did not shrink back under the direst of circumstances. God had been with him in an earlier battle against the Philistines, 13:3, and he knew God would be here for him again. He seemed to have the courage and confidence in God that his father lacked. With Saul, God always seemed to be an afterthought. Today, when we find ourselves in desperate circumstances, let us remember how the Lord has been there for us before, and trust that He will be there for us again.
We must think before we speak. It is one thing to speak something foolishly once not considering the consequences, Saul did it three times. Instead of admitting his mistake, he buried himself deeper. By the time he found out his son was the one who violated the oath, he lost the confidence of his troops. When he determined he needed to put Jonathan to death in order to not go back on his word, his foolishness was evident to all. In effect, his troops had a mutiny against him and ultimately saved the life of his son. Had Saul simply slowed down and thought it through, he would have saved himself much grief. Had he not have been so rash, Israel may have had an opportunity to pursue the Philistines under the cover of darkness and completely destroy them. But, because of his mistake, Israel had to walk away and the Philistines continued to hound Israel throughout his reign. When we speak today, we need to be aware of the possible ramifications, James 1:19.
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