1 Samuel 14:8

KJV

Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto [these] men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Jonathan {H3083}, Behold, we will pass over {H5674} unto these men {H582}, and we will discover {H1540} ourselves unto them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'honatan said, "Here, we'll cross over to those men and let them know we're there.

Berean Standard Bible

“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them.

American Standard Version

Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto the men, and we will disclose ourselves unto them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 14:8 presents Jonathan's decisive and faith-empowered command to his armor-bearer, initiating their audacious plan against the Philistine garrison. Following his declaration of trust in God's unrestricted power to deliver, Jonathan articulates the practical, strategic step of openly revealing their presence to the enemy. This act of "discovering themselves" was not a reckless charge but a calculated, faith-filled maneuver designed to elicit a specific response from the Philistines, which would then serve as a divine sign for their subsequent actions, demonstrating Jonathan's profound reliance on God's explicit guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate practical outworking of Jonathan's profound declaration of faith in [1 Samuel 14:6](/1_samuel/14-6 "1 Samuel 14:6 - Jonathan's Declaration of Faith")—"there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few." His loyal armor-bearer, sharing a similar spirit of courage and devotion, affirms his commitment in [1 Samuel 14:7](/1_samuel/14-7 "1 Samuel 14:7 - Armor-bearer's Agreement"). Verse 8 then outlines the audacious first step of their two-man assault. The subsequent verses, [1 Samuel 14:9-10](/1_samuel/14-9-10 "1 Samuel 14:9-10 - Jonathan's Proposed Sign"), reveal the strategic genius and spiritual depth behind this "discovery"—it was a divinely orchestrated test for a clear sign, underscoring Jonathan's dependence on God's explicit guidance rather than mere human bravery. This entire episode stands in stark contrast to King Saul's increasingly hesitant, fearful, and disobedient leadership, highlighting Jonathan's proactive and unwavering faith amidst national despair and military stagnation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period depicted in [1 Samuel 13](/1_samuel/13 "1 Samuel 13 - Saul's Disobedience and Philistine Oppression") and [1 Samuel 14](/1_samuel/14 "1 Samuel 14 - Jonathan's Victory and Saul's Rash Oath") is one of severe Philistine domination over Israel. The Philistines had strategically disarmed the Israelites, ensuring no smiths were available to sharpen weapons, thereby maintaining a technological and military advantage ([1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19-22 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine Disarmament of Israel")). A formidable Philistine garrison was entrenched at Michmash, effectively controlling key strategic passes and instilling widespread fear among the demoralized Israelite forces. King Saul's army was meager, poorly equipped, and suffering from low morale. The rugged terrain around Michmash, characterized by steep ravines and rocky outcrops, provided natural defensive strongholds for the Philistines, making any direct assault appear suicidal. Jonathan's initiative, therefore, unfolds against a backdrop of overwhelming odds, national despondency, and military impotence, rendering his faith-filled action remarkably courageous and counter-cultural.

* **Key Themes:** Jonathan's command in [1 Samuel 14:8](/1_samuel/14-8 "1 Samuel 14:8 - Jonathan's Bold Plan") significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Samuel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **bold faith and divine initiative**, starkly contrasting Jonathan's proactive trust in God with Saul's increasing passivity, fear, and reliance on human strength or ritualistic acts rather than genuine dependence on the Lord. Secondly, it highlights the critical theme of **dependence on divine providence and guidance**, as Jonathan's "discovery" is not a reckless charge but a carefully considered move designed to elicit a clear, unambiguous sign from God, demonstrating that true courage is rooted in seeking and obeying God's specific will. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **confronting the enemy through faith**, not through stealth or superior numbers, but through a direct, faith-empowered challenge, illustrating how God frequently uses the seemingly weak and foolish to overcome the mighty and confound the wise. This episode serves as a powerful microcosm of the larger narrative of God's sovereign work through chosen individuals to deliver His people, often in unexpected and miraculous ways, as seen throughout the broader story of Israel's deliverance from oppression.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pass over (Hebrew, _ʿābar'_):** This primitive root signifies movement from one place to another, often implying crossing a boundary, a transition, or an active advance. In this context, it denotes a deliberate, forward movement towards the enemy, an aggressive and offensive posture rather than a defensive one. It implies initiating contact and directly engaging the Philistines, emphasizing the intentionality of their approach.
* **Discover (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** The King James Version's use of "discover" here reflects an older English meaning of "to uncover," "to reveal," or "to make bare." It does not mean to find something new, but rather to expose or make oneself visible. Jonathan's intention was to intentionally reveal their presence to the Philistines, not to sneak up on them. This deliberate act of exposure was crucial to his plan for seeking a divine sign, as it would force a specific verbal response from the enemy.
* **Men (Hebrew, _ʼĕnôwsh'_):** This term refers to "a mortal" or "a man in general," often implying human frailty or mortality in contrast to God. In this context, it refers to the Philistine soldiers, emphasizing their human nature and, by implication, their vulnerability before the God who saves "by many or by few." Jonathan's focus is on these specific human adversaries, whose response will be the divine signal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto [these] men":** This clause reveals Jonathan's decisive leadership and the immediate, intentional nature of their action. The interjection "Behold" (Hebrew, _hinnēh_) draws immediate attention to the impending action, emphasizing its urgency and directness. Jonathan is not merely suggesting a course of action; he is declaring their firm intention to move towards the Philistine outpost. The phrase "these men" specifically identifies the Philistine garrison as their target, highlighting the direct engagement they are about to initiate. This is a commitment to proactive, faith-driven confrontation.
* **"and we will discover ourselves unto them":** This second clause specifies the unique and audacious nature of their approach. Instead of a stealthy infiltration or a surprise attack, Jonathan commands an open, visible approach. This was a strategic choice, as explained in the subsequent verses, precisely designed to provoke a specific verbal reaction from the Philistines. Their response would then serve as the divine signal Jonathan sought, indicating whether the Lord would deliver the Philistines into their hands. This demonstrates Jonathan's profound willingness to place himself in a vulnerable position, trusting entirely in God for the outcome and for the clear direction he desired.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [1 Samuel 14:8](/1_samuel/14-8 "1 Samuel 14:8 - Jonathan's Bold Plan") employs several potent literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. There is a profound **Contrast** established between Jonathan's bold, faith-driven initiative and King Saul's hesitant, fearful, and passive leadership, which is evident throughout [1 Samuel 13](/1_samuel/13 "1 Samuel 13 - Saul's Disobedience") and [1 Samuel 14](/1_samuel/14 "1 Samuel 14 - Jonathan's Victory"). While Saul remains under the pomegranate tree, paralyzed by fear, Jonathan takes decisive action, highlighting a stark difference in their spiritual posture and trust in God. The verse also functions as powerful **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the crucial divine sign Jonathan seeks in the following verses. His act of "discovering themselves" is not an end in itself but a deliberate means to an end, a test that will reveal God's specific will for their engagement. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** inherent in Jonathan's plan: two men deliberately exposing themselves to a large, well-armed enemy garrison, a seemingly suicidal move by conventional military standards, which ultimately becomes the catalyst for a miraculous and overwhelming victory for Israel. This highlights the profound biblical theme of God working through the weak, the few, and the seemingly foolish to confound the strong and demonstrate His absolute power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonathan's bold declaration and subsequent action in 1 Samuel 14:8 embody a profound theological truth: God is not limited by human numbers, strength, or strategic advantage. His willingness to "discover" himself to the enemy, in a move that appears reckless by human standards, underscores his radical dependence on divine intervention rather than conventional military tactics. This act of faith demonstrates that God often calls His people to step out in vulnerability, trusting that His power is made perfect in weakness. It is a powerful reminder that while human planning has its place, ultimate victory belongs to the Lord, who can deliver "by many or by few." Jonathan's initiative serves as a model for courageous faith that dares to act on God's promises, even when the circumstances seem insurmountable, demonstrating that true security lies in God's presence and direction, not in human might.

* [Judges 7:7](/judges/7-7 "Judges 7:7 - Gideon's Small Army and God's Deliverance")
* [2 Chronicles 14:11](/2_chronicles/14-11 "2 Chronicles 14:11 - Asa's Prayer for Divine Help Against Overwhelming Odds")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonathan's example in 1 Samuel 14:8 offers a compelling and enduring challenge to believers today. In a world often dominated by fear, caution, and an over-reliance on human strength and resources, Jonathan's bold initiative reminds us that true faith often requires stepping out into seemingly impossible or vulnerable situations. He didn't wait for ideal circumstances, a large army, or overwhelming odds in his favor; he acted on his profound conviction that God could save, regardless of the numbers. This calls us to critically examine areas in our own lives where God might be prompting us to take a courageous step of faith—whether it's in sharing the Gospel, pursuing a difficult calling, confronting injustice, forgiving an offense, or trusting God with our finances, relationships, or future. It teaches us to combine audacious action with a humble, active dependence on God's specific guidance, recognizing that our vulnerability, when surrendered to God, can be the very conduit through which His extraordinary power is displayed. Like Jonathan, we are called to be proactive in our faith, trusting that God is able to accomplish His purposes through us, regardless of the perceived odds or our own limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jonathan's initiative challenge our natural tendency towards hesitation or fear in the face of spiritual obstacles or seemingly insurmountable challenges?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might God be calling you to "discover yourself" or take a bold, faith-filled step, even when it feels vulnerable or counter-intuitive?**
* **How can we effectively balance courageous action with seeking clear, specific divine guidance, as Jonathan did, in our personal and corporate endeavors for God's kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jonathan choose to "discover himself" rather than attempt a surprise attack?**

Answer: Jonathan's decision to "discover himself" to the Philistines was a deliberate and profoundly strategic act, not a reckless one. It was an integral part of a divinely-inspired test designed to discern God's will and secure a clear sign for their next move. As detailed in [1 Samuel 14:9-10](/1_samuel/14-9-10 "1 Samuel 14:9-10 - Jonathan's Proposed Sign"), Jonathan proposed two distinct scenarios based on the Philistines' verbal response: if they told Jonathan and his armor-bearer to "wait until we come to you," it would be a clear sign that the Lord had not given them victory. However, if the Philistines said, "Come up to us," it would be an unambiguous indication that the Lord had indeed delivered the enemy into their hands. By openly revealing themselves, Jonathan was intentionally forcing the Philistines to respond, thereby allowing God to provide the specific, undeniable guidance he sought. This demonstrates his profound dependence on God's explicit direction rather than relying solely on conventional human military strategy, stealth, or numerical advantage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonathan's bold act of "discovering himself" to the enemy, risking his life for the deliverance of Israel, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, perfect self-revelation and redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ. While Jonathan's act was a strategic test for a divine sign, Christ's coming into the world was the definitive and ultimate "uncovering" of God's eternal redemptive plan. The Son of God, who was in very nature God, profoundly "discovered" Himself to humanity by taking on human flesh ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")), thereby making Himself vulnerable to the powers of sin and death. He did not come stealthily, but openly declared His identity and mission, ultimately allowing Himself to be "discovered" and apprehended by His enemies, leading to His crucifixion. Just as Jonathan's act, born of faith, led to Israel's miraculous deliverance, Christ's willing exposure and sacrifice on the cross secured eternal deliverance for all who believe, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of God's salvation. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fully revealing God's immeasurable love and omnipotent power through His ultimate act of self-giving and obedience ([Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5-7 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Willing Sacrifice and Obedience")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 7:9

¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.

Judges 7:14

And his fellow answered and said, This [is] nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: [for] into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.