TRV
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Commentary on 1 Samuel 14 verses 1–15
We must here take notice,
I. Of the goodness of God in restraining the Philistines, who had a vast army of valiant men in the field, from falling upon that little handful of timorous trembling people that Saul had with him, whom they would easily have swallowed up at once. It is an invisible power that sets bounds to the malice of the church's enemies, and suffers them not to do that which we should think there is nothing to hinder them from.
II. Of the weakness of Saul, who seems here to have been quite at a loss, and unable to help himself. 1. He pitched his tent under a tree, and had but 600 men with him, Sa1 14:2. Where were now the 3000 men he had chosen, and put such a confidence in? Sa1 13:2. Those whom he trusted too much to failed him when he most needed them. He durst not stay in Gibeah, but got into some obscure place, in the uttermost part of the city, under a pomegranate-tree, under Rimmon (so the word is), Ha-Rimmon, that Rimmon near Gibeah, in the caves of which those 600 Benjamites that escaped his themselves, Jdg 20:47. Some think that there Saul took shelter, so mean and abject was his spirit, now that he had fallen under God's displeasure, every hour expecting the Philistines upon him, and thereby the accomplishment of Samuel's threatening, Sa1 13:14. Those can never think themselves safe that see themselves cast out of God's protection. 2. Now he sent for a priest, and the ark, a priest from Shiloh, and the ark from Kirjath-jearim, Sa1 14:3, Sa1 14:18. Saul had once offended by offering sacrifice himself, Sa1 13:9. Now he resolves never to fall into that error again, and therefore sends for a priest, and hopes to compromise the matter with God Almighty by a particular reformation, as many do whose hearts are unhumbled and unchanged. Samuel, the Lord's prophet, had forsaken him, but he thinks he can make up that loss by commanding Ahiah, the Lord's priest, to attend him, and he will not make him stay for him nor reprove him, as Samuel had done, but will do just as he bids him, Sa1 14:18, Sa1 14:19. Many love to have such ministers as will be what they would have them to be, and prophesy smooth things to them; and their caressing them because they are priests, they hope, will atone for their enmity to those ministers that deal faithfully and plainly with them. He will also have the ark brought, perhaps to upbraid Samuel, who in the days of his government, for aught that appears, had not made any public use of it; or in hopes that this would make up the deficiency of his forces; one would have supposed that they would never bring the ark into the camp again, since, the last time, it not only did not save them, but did itself fall into the Philistines' hands. But it is common for those that have lost the substance of religion to be most fond of the shadows of it, as here is a deserted prince courting a deserted priest.
III. Of the bravery and piety of Jonathan, the son of Saul, who was much fitter than the father to wear the crown. "A sweet imp (says bishop Hall) out of a crab-stock."
1.He resolved to go incognito - unknown to any one, into the camp of the Philistines; he did not acquaint his father with his design, for he knew he would forbid him; nor the people, for he knew they would all discourage him, and, because he resolved not to heed their objections, he resolved not to hear them, nor ask their advice, Sa1 14:1, Sa1 14:3. Nor had he so great an opinion of the priest as to consult him, but, being conscious of a divine impulse putting him upon it, he threw himself into the mouth of danger, in hope of doing service to his country. The way of access to the enemies' camp is described (Sa1 14:4, Sa1 14:5) as being peculiarly difficult, and their natural entrenchments impregnable, yet this does not discourage him; the strength and sharpness of the rocks do but harden and whet his resolutions. Great and generous souls are animated by opposition and take a pleasure in breaking through it.
2.He encouraged his armour-bearer, a young man that attended him, to go along with him in the daring enterprise, (Sa1 14:6): "Come, and let us put our lives in our hands, and go over to the enemies' garrison, and try what we can do to put them into confusion." See whence he draws his encouragements. (1.) "They are uncircumcised, and have not the seal of the covenant in their flesh, as we have. Fear not, we shall do well enough with them, for they are not under the protection of God's covenant as we are, cannot call him theirs as we can, by the sign of circumcision." If such as are enemies to us are also strangers to God, we need not fear them. (2.) "God is able to make us two victorious over their unnumbered regiments. There is no restraint in the Lord, no limitation to the holy One of Israel, but it is all one to him to save by many or by few." This is a true easily granted in general, that it is all alike to Omnipotence what the instruments are by which it works; and yet it is not so easy to apply it to a particular case; when we are but few and feeble then to believe that God can not only save us, but save by us, this is an instance of faith, which, wherever it is, shall obtain a good report. Let this strengthen the weak and encourage the timid: let it be pleaded with God for the enforcing of our petitions and with ourselves for the silencing of our fears: It is nothing with God to help, whether with many or with those that have no power, Ch2 14:11. (3.) "Who knows but he that can use us for his glory will do it? It may be the Lord will work for us, work with us, work a sign or miracle for us." So the Chaldee. We may encourage ourselves with hope that God will appear for us, though we have not ground on which to build an assurance. An active faith will venture far in God's cause upon an it may be. Jonathan's armour-bearer, or esquire, as if he had learned to carry, not his arms only, but his heart, promised to stand by him and to follow him withersoever he went, Sa1 14:7. We have reason to think that Jonathan felt a divine impulse and impression putting him upon this bold adventure, in which he was encouraged by his servant's concurrence, otherwise the danger was so great which he ran upon that he would have tempted God rather than trusted him. And perhaps he had an actual regard to that word of Joshua (Jos 23:10), One man of you shall chase a thousand, borrowed from Moses, Deu 32:30.
3.How bold soever his resolution was, he resolved to follow Providence in the execution of it, which, he believed, would guide him with its eye (Psa 32:8), and which therefore he would carefully attend and take hints of direction from. See how he put himself upon Providence, and resolved to be determined by it. "Come" (says he to his confidant), "we will discover ourselves to the enemy, as those that are not afraid to look them in the face (Sa1 14:8), and then, if they be so cautious as to bid us stand, we will advance no further, taking it for an intimation of Providence that God would have us act defensively, and we will prepare as well as we can to give them a warm reception (Sa1 14:9); but if they be so presumptuous as to challenge us, and the first sentinel we meet with bid us march on, we will push forward, and make as brisk an onset, assuredly gathering thence that it is the will of God we should act offensively, and then not doubting but he will stand by us," Sa1 14:10. And upon this issue he puts it, firmly believing, as we all should, (1.) That God has the governing of the hearts and tongues of all men, even of those that know him not, nor have any regard to him, and serves his own purposes by them, though they mean not so, neither do their hearts think so. Jonathan knew God could discover his mind to him if he pleased, and would do it, since he depended upon him, as surely by the mouth of a Philistine as by the mouth of a priest. (2.) That God will, some way or other, direct the steps of those that acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek unto him for direction, with full purpose of heart to follow it. Sometimes we find most comfort in that which is least our own doing, and into which we have been led by the unexpected, but well observed, turns of Providence.
4.Providence gave him the sign he expected, and he answered the signal. He and his armour-bearer did not surprise the Philistines when they were asleep, but discovered themselves to them by day-light, Sa1 14:11. The guards of the Philistines, (1.) Disdained them, upbraided them with the cowardice of many of their people, and looked upon them to be of the regiment of sneakers: Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of their holes. If some of Christ's soldiers play the coward, others that play the man may perhaps be upbraided with it. (2.) They defied them (Sa1 14:12): Come, and we will show you a thing, as if they came like children to gaze about them; but meaning, as Goliath (Sa1 17:44), that they would give them as meat to the fowls of the air. They bantered them, not doubting but to make a prey of them. This greatly emboldened Jonathan. With it he encouraged his servant; he had spoken with uncertainty (Sa1 14:6): It may be the Lord will work for us; but now he speaks with assurance (Sa1 14:12): The Lord has delivered them, not into our hands (he sought not his own glory), but into the hand of Israel, for he aimed at nothing but the advantage of the public. His faith being thus strengthened, no difficulty can stand before him; he climbs up the rock upon all four (Sa1 14:13), though he has nothing to cover him, nor any but his own servant to second him, nor any human probability of any thing but death before him.
5.The wonderful success of this daring enterprise. The Philistines, instead of falling upon Jonathan, to slay him, or take him prisoner, fell before him (Sa1 14:13) unaccountably, upon the first blows he gave. They fell, that is, (1.) They were many of them slain by him and his armour-bearer, Sa1 14:14. Twenty Philistines fell presently. It was not so much the name of Jonathan that made them yield so tamely (though some think that this had become terrible to them, since he smote one of their garrisons, Sa1 13:3), but it was God's right hand and his arm that got him this victory. (2.) The rest were put to flight, and fell foul upon one another (Sa1 14:15): There was trembling in the host. There was no visible cause for fear; they were so numerous, bold, and advantageously posted; the Israelites had fled before them; not an enemy made head against them, but one gentleman and his man; and yet they shook like an aspen-leaf. The consternation was general: they all trembled; even the spoilers, those that had been most bold and forward, shared in the common fright, the joints of their loins were loosed, and their knees smote one against another, and yet none of them could tell why or wherefore. It is called a trembling of God (so the original phrase is), signifying not only, as we render it, a very great trembling, which they could not resist nor reason themselves clear of, but that it was supernatural, and came immediately from the hand of God. He that made the heart knows how to make it tremble. To complete the confusion, even the earth quaked, and made them ready to fear that it would sink under them. Those that will not fear the eternal God, he can make afraid of a shadow. See Pro 21:1; Isa 33:14.
This shall be a sign: It is likely Jonathan was instructed by divine inspiration to make a choice of this sign: otherwise the observation of omens is superstitious and sinful.
The one perfectly divine thing, the one glimpse of God's paradise given on earth, is to fight a losing battle - and not lose it.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 14:10 captures a pivotal moment in Jonathan's audacious plan to confront the Philistine garrison. This verse details the second, positive sign Jonathan sought from God to confirm divine approval for his daring attack. It encapsulates his profound faith and strategic reliance on the Lord's intervention, asserting that if the Philistines invited them to "Come up unto us," it would be a clear indication that God had already delivered the enemy into their hands, serving as a definitive signal for their advance.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is nestled within a narrative of profound national crisis for Israel. King Saul's reign is marked by severe Philistine oppression, particularly their monopoly on ironworking which left Israel disarmed and demoralized, as detailed in 1 Samuel 13:19-22. The Israelite army is small, fearful, and scattered, with many hiding in caves and thickets. Against this backdrop of despair, Jonathan, accompanied only by his armor-bearer, takes extraordinary initiative. He proposes a two-part test to discern God's will: if the Philistines tell them to "tarry" (wait), they would stay put, as outlined in 1 Samuel 14:9; but if they confidently invite Jonathan and his armor-bearer to "Come up unto us" (this verse), it would be the divine signal for attack, confirming God's pre-emptive delivery of the enemy. This verse, therefore, represents the decisive condition for their advance, shifting the narrative from Israel's paralysis to Jonathan's bold, faith-driven action.
Historical & Cultural Context: The period of the Judges and early monarchy in Israel was characterized by ongoing conflict with surrounding peoples, especially the Philistines. The Philistines, a technologically superior maritime people, had established a strong presence along the coastal plain and were expanding inland, posing a significant threat to Israelite sovereignty. Their control over iron technology (as mentioned in 1 Samuel 13:19) gave them a distinct military advantage, making Israel's situation precarious. The practice of seeking divine signs was not uncommon in the ancient Near East, and within Israel, it was a way to confirm God's will, especially before major undertakings like battle, provided it was done with genuine faith and not as a means to test God. Jonathan's approach to the Philistine outpost at Michmash, a strategic pass, reflects the guerrilla tactics often employed by a weaker force against a stronger, entrenched enemy, highlighting the desperate circumstances and the need for divine intervention.
Key Themes: 1 Samuel 14:10 powerfully illustrates several core themes. Foremost is Faith and Divine Guidance, as Jonathan's entire endeavor hinges on his profound trust in God's ability to intervene and provide clear direction, even in seemingly impossible circumstances. His willingness to seek a specific sign demonstrates a deep conviction that God actively guides His people, a theme resonating with the broader biblical emphasis on trusting God's leading in all your ways. Connected to this is Boldness and Initiative, as Jonathan acts decisively where King Saul and the rest of the army are paralyzed by fear and indecision. He doesn't wait for perfect conditions but steps out in obedience to what he believes God will reveal. Finally, the verse underscores God's Sovereignty in Battle. Jonathan's declaration, "for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand," is a profound theological statement affirming that ultimate victory does not depend on human strength or numbers but on God's power and decision, as echoed in Psalm 20:7. This conviction fuels his confidence and provides the spiritual foundation for his audacious plan, demonstrating that God can use even the weakest instruments to achieve His purposes.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. The most prominent is the Conditional Clause ("But if they say... then we will go up"), which structures Jonathan's test of God's will, setting up a clear, observable criterion for action. This creates narrative tension and highlights the reliance on a specific divine response. There is also a strong element of Dramatic Irony: the Philistines' confident, perhaps disdainful, invitation to "Come up unto us" is intended to draw Jonathan into a disadvantageous position, yet, unknown to them, it becomes the very sign of their impending defeat, orchestrated by God. This irony underscores God's ability to use the arrogance of His enemies for His own purposes, turning their boast into their undoing. Furthermore, the entire episode functions as a Divine Test or Oracle, where human action is contingent upon a specific divine communication, emphasizing God's active Providence and control over the unfolding events, even in the midst of battle. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over human choices and circumstances.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonathan's seeking of a sign in 1 Samuel 14:10 is a profound illustration of seeking divine guidance in a high-stakes situation. While God's primary mode of revelation for believers today is through His written Word and the Holy Spirit, Jonathan's action reflects a deep faith that God is actively involved in human affairs and can provide specific direction. His confidence that "the LORD hath delivered them into our hand" before the battle even began underscores the biblical truth of God's sovereignty over all outcomes. It teaches that true victory comes not from human might or strategic brilliance alone, but from God's pre-emptive work and empowering presence. This radical dependence on God, rather than on circumstances or military strength, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, challenging believers to trust in God's power even when faced with overwhelming odds and to recognize that God often works through unexpected means.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonathan's bold faith in 1 Samuel 14:10 challenges believers to consider the nature of their own trust in God, especially when facing daunting challenges. While we do not typically seek explicit, external signs in the same way Jonathan did, the underlying principle of seeking God's clear will and then acting on it with courage remains profoundly relevant. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep reliance on God's sovereignty, understanding that He is capable of delivering us even when circumstances seem impossible. It calls us to move beyond fear and inaction, to step out in faith when God's direction is clear, trusting that He has already "delivered" the outcome into His hand. Our confidence should not be in our own resources or strength, but in the Lord who fights for us. This requires a posture of prayerful discernment, careful study of Scripture, and willingness to obey, even when the path ahead seems risky or unconventional from a human perspective. It reminds us that God often calls us to audacious acts of faith that defy human logic, simply because He desires to demonstrate His power and receive all the glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jonathan seek a sign from God before attacking the Philistines?
Answer: Jonathan sought a sign not out of doubt or a desire to test God, but to confirm God's specific will and active presence in a high-stakes military operation. In a situation where Israel was severely outmatched and demoralized (see 1 Samuel 13:19-22), Jonathan needed clear divine assurance that God was indeed with them and had already ordained victory. This sign would serve as a tangible confirmation, not only for himself but also for his armor-bearer, providing the necessary conviction to proceed with such an audacious plan. It was an act of faith, demonstrating his desire to align his actions perfectly with God's sovereign intent, rather than relying on human strategy alone.
Is it appropriate for believers today to seek signs like Jonathan did?
Answer: Generally, no. While God is sovereign and can certainly provide confirmation in various ways, the primary means of discerning God's will for believers today is through His completed Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:13). Unlike Jonathan, who lived before the full revelation of Christ and the complete biblical canon, we have a more direct and comprehensive source of divine guidance. Seeking specific, external "signs" can sometimes devolve into testing God or avoiding the clear principles of Scripture. However, God can still use circumstances, wise counsel, and a sense of peace to confirm His will when we are prayerfully seeking Him and submitting to His revealed Word.
What does Jonathan mean by "the LORD hath delivered them into our hand"?
Answer: This phrase is a powerful declaration of faith and a theological conviction. It means that Jonathan believed God had already, in His sovereign plan and power, given the Philistines over to Israel for defeat. It is not a statement of human presumption or military strategy, but an affirmation that victory ultimately belongs to God. Jonathan's confidence was rooted in God's ability to intervene and grant success, regardless of the overwhelming odds. This conviction transformed a seemingly suicidal mission into a divinely ordained triumph, highlighting that God's power is not limited by human weakness or numerical disadvantage (as seen in Zechariah 4:6).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonathan's audacious faith, his reliance on a divine sign, and his conviction that "the LORD hath delivered them into our hand" profoundly foreshadow the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jonathan, as a deliverer for Israel, points to Christ, the ultimate Deliverer and the perfect embodiment of God's will. While Jonathan sought a sign to confirm God's presence and approval, Jesus Himself is the ultimate "sign" of God's presence among humanity, the very Word made flesh who perfectly reveals the Father (John 1:18). God no longer speaks through specific, external signs in the same way, but has spoken definitively through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). All wisdom and knowledge, all of God's perfect will, are hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). Jonathan's confidence in God's pre-emptive delivery of the enemy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness on the cross. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus has definitively "delivered" humanity from the enemy's grasp, securing a victory that is already accomplished for all who believe (John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 15:57). Thus, Jonathan's faith-filled act serves as a powerful Old Testament echo of the greater, eternal victory secured by the Lamb of God, who triumphs not by human might but by divine power.