By Jonathan’s Believing Courage (vv. 1-14)
1 Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison that is on the other side." But he did not tell his father. 2 And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. 3 Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah. 6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." 7 So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart." 8 Then Jonathan said, "Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 "If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 10 "But if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us." 11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden." 12 Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." Jonathan said to his armorbearer, "Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel." 13 And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. 14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.
Between a Rock and a Hard Spot
Israel was in a very low place, but this is when the Lord works, for with him nothing is impossible! He uses the weak to show his strength (1 Cor. 1:28-32). His strength works to bring us low, so that we learn to depend upon his grace (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Then, humbled under his hand, he exalts us to serve him. This is exactly what we see in Israel’s pitiful state. Their king is virtually powerless – six hundred retainers against impossible odds. Saul had the priest, the ephod, and soon the Ark of the Covenant with him, but unbelief never profits from God’s appointed means of grace. The Philistines have seized Israel’s weapons and reduced them to vassalage. Saul has moved to the outskirts of Gibeah, hiding in the trees. But heaven planted faith never dies. It gasps and sputters under affliction, looking like it will be extinguished, but then under the Lord’s breathing his Spirit upon it, it flames anew. Faith stirred in Jonathan. He was in hiding near the Philistine garrison. He told his armor-bearer a plan for the two of them to attack the garrison. He was in a valley with two high rocks on either side; one of them would have to be scaled to reach and challenge the garrison. Faith does not look at the difficulty of the way or the strength of the enemy or potential death. Faith has eyes only for the Lord – like Enoch and Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob in his later days, Joseph, Hannah, David, Daniel, all the men and women who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who went to the cross because he trusted his Father. Faith makes its highest climbs when it is between a rock and a hard spot.
Perhaps the Lord Will Work for Us
This is not imposing a pleasing narrative upon these events. Verse 6 gives Jonathan’s motivation: “perhaps the Lord will work for us.” He was not presumptuous. He did not say, “I am strong, so let us move forward with this daring plan.” He grounded the whole hope of his success upon the Lord’s working. The Philistines did not have the Lord fighting for them. They are uncircumcised – unbelievers, outside God’s covenant promises and presence, without hope and without God in the world. Jonathan’s father had imbibed none of Samuel’s lessons, but Jonathan had taken them all in. He believed in the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of the covenant, and his saving presence with his people. Do not despair, young man or woman, if your parents did not love the Lord or train you in his ways. We are influenced and powerfully shaped by our upbringing, but faith raises believing children higher than unbelieving parents. We are neither determinists nor environmentalists. We are people of faith and of covenant.
Jonathan took the Lord at his word. The Philistines were enemies of God, under God’s ban of judgment. Israel was his chosen people by his sovereign grace. Jonathan was the king’s son, and therefore was responsible to be a bold prince to work for the deliverance of God’s people. “Perhaps the Lord will work for us.” This is what faith sees when it is in the valley, or has a high climb to make, or is languishing upon the sick bed, or is hard pressed for daily bread. Faith sees the Lord. Perhaps he will work for us. “Perhaps” is humility speaking, not doubt. It is like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Whether or not the Lord saves us from the furnace, we will not bow down to your image, Nebuchadnezzar. Faith does not demand the desired results. Faith acts upon the promises and trusts the power of God. It leaves the results in his loving, wise, and sovereign hands. Faith is not like the American false counterpart of “vision seekers.” Faith holds fast to God’s word and acts upon what he has said – like Abraham sacrificing Isaac, or Daniel praying when forbidden, or Jeremiah preaching when threatened. The Lord has spoken, faith says, and therefore I must trust and obey. Faith ventures all on the goodness and faithfulness of God. It does not have to see the results or a way forward. It hears God’s voice and follows him through the darkness.
Faith Rewarded with Victory
Faith taught Jonathan an important truth of his sovereignty and power: “there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.” The battle against sin in the world and in our own lives is the Lord’s. “I will declare enmity,” he said in Eden. He can use a host to defeat an enemy, or one man to defeat a host. He simply is not under the constraints that we are as his creatures. And since he has taken us to be his own purchased people, he will defend us. Thus, Jonathan suggested a simple plan to his armorbearer. Let us climb the steep rock and make ourselves known to the Philistine garrison. If they respond, “Come unto us,” we will go, for we shall know the Lord will give us victory. Jonathan presented this plan in faith – let us see what the Lord will do. These were in the days before Scriptures, but a completed Scripture and a reigning Savior should make us bolder and more confident, not passive. Jonathan climbed the rock on his hands and feet, for the garrison defenders invited him to come over. Jonathan and his armorbearer slaughtered the garrison, about 20 men. Faith obtained the victory.
God is against his enemies, and when we act in faith, obeying him, using our places and gifts to serve him, challenging evil by faithful lives and witness and courage, he will fight for us. He does nothing based upon numbers or likelihood of success or any other measure that men trust. He calls us to trust him. He is the Lord of hosts. His Son now reigns from his right hand. Let us believe and speak, believe and act, believe and obey. Our Savior leads us in his victory train, whether the battle is public or private, individual or corporate. Our Savior will reign until all his enemies are made a footstool for his feet. Faith believes in him and acts in faith in his reign, his strength, and his favor upon every believing, loving deed.
By the Lord’s Strength and Favor (vv. 15-23)
15 And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling. 16 Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, "Now call the roll and see who has gone from us." And when they had called the roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. 18 And Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here" (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel). 19 Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. 21 Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven.
He Divides and Scatters His Enemies
The Lord added an earthquake to Jonathan’s valor. The Lord was moving through the Philistine ranks, confusing them, turning them against each other. Saul wondered if this was due to a movement of some of his troops. A count was made – only Jonathan and his armorbearer were missing. Saul told the priest to bring the Ark for consultation. The noise of battle grew louder, but who were the Philistines fighting? The Lord was fighting them. Saul blew the battle trumpet, and Israel began to emerge from hedge and hole. Some Israelites who had crossed over to be with the Philistines to protect themselves crossed back over to Israel. From Mount Ephraim the Israelites rejoined Saul. Those “in charge” did not know what was happening. The Philistines were fighting themselves; the earth was quaking; men were running here and there. Israel’s ranks reformed for battle. It would only be a mopping up action, for the Lord had divided and scattered his enemies. We often forget that even when the Lord’s people are asleep or have gone over to the Philistines, he himself fights against his foes. He has many, many more hands than ours. He does not need us; he does not need many.
He Saved Israel That Day
It was not Jonathan that saved Israel. The Lord did. They had rejected him as their King, but he was still ruling over them, protecting and delivering them from their enemies. He blessed Jonathan with faith to act in dependence upon his promises and presence. But how can one man put twenty to flight and no men put thousands to flight? It is the Lord. This is his world. He fights against sin and Satan. He uses weak means – like Jonathan’s one pathetic sword – to begin the defeat of an entire army. He used the weakness of the cross and the utter humbling of his only Son to bring salvation to the world and shake the heavens and the earth. There is no one like the Lord. Pray for grace to see him in his glory, his Son ruling all things for the sake of the church (Ps. 22:27; Eph. 1:19-20). See the Lord Jesus now marching and making war against his enemies, shaking the nations and grinding them to powder (Rev. 2:27; 19:11-15). Christian, understand that the crumbling of wicked nations is the Lord Jesus shaking them to pieces. He has many arrows in his quiver – economic hubris, military overreach, pluralism and perversity tolerance. He sends his enemies “strong delusion that they should believe a lie” (2 Thess. 2:11). All the while, he uses the weakness of gospel preaching and Christian witness to bring down the proud, so that “no one may glory in his presence” (1 Cor. 1:28-32). Doubt not but that he will carry the field in our day. He will do so by those who believe his promises and act upon them.
By the Holy Spirit’s Power in Us
The Power of Individual Conviction
Jonathan acted purely upon individual conviction of duty and faith. He was not trying to gain a following or be a great leader of men. He did not know what the outcome would be. His “perhaps” suggests he was ready to die, should the Lord not give aid. But Jonathan was a man of conviction, and he acted when no one else, not even his father the king was acting. He acted as David would later act – “who are these uncircumcised Philistines that they should defy the living God?” Individual conviction is vital. This is one reason Satan deceives with constant distraction and entertainment. Conviction grows in the soil of steady, quiet faith. It does not grow in Vanity Fair or in the soul bog of personal guilt. And it does not matter if we live in a city or in the country, whether we program computers or plow fields. Conviction that God is King, that Jesus Christ is Lord and Master, that I am not my own but have been bought with a price, leads to a certain way of life, demands a certain course of action – sin resistance, love and service to God and neighbor, and light shining wherever you are. In times of crisis, it will lead you to take action – words of truth, courage in resisting evil, faithfulness in donning God’s armor, and diligence in using it. But we cannot act without conviction – that the Lord is faithful, his promises true, and his glory worthy of our highest ardor and action. So, child of God, believe and act!
But we should be more specific about gaining strong convictions, convictions strong enough to energize and clear enough to help us walk steadily when the waves of temptations are crashing. The Holy Spirit seals God’s truth to our hearts, so that we believe it, stake our lives and futures upon it, and would rather die than sin against God. We should walk in the Spirit if we are to be people of conviction that the Lord will use (Gal. 5:16-18). Jonathan knew who God was – that he hears and answers prayer, that victory depends upon his strength and blessing, that he cannot be manipulated – unlike his father’s recent actions that cost him the kingdom. We must be people who study the Scriptures (Ps. 119:31-33), meditate upon them (Ps. 1:2), pray God’s truth back to him, and obey his word. Light grows and conviction increases in the path of obedience. This is exactly the reason that so many waiver today. They spend all their time in the fields of emotionalism, but we were made to know God and love him with our mind. Our Savior said that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). As God’s truth illumines our minds, will and affection follow – the triple foundations of strong conviction that makes us solid in turbulent times, courageous when duty calls, and joyful cross-bearers.
The Necessity of Individual Effort
Do you have good convictions? Heavenly conviction empowers individual effort and action. Faith is an active principle. Faith lays hold upon God as its delight and his promises as its strength. It delights to please the Lord and is zealous to serve him. Every child of God must make an effort. Because Jonathan’s particular battle is not ours, we should not pine away for the days of swords and battlefields. Not too much, I fear, was accomplished by all that bloodshed. Especially in New Testament times our battlefield is more insidious, requires greater conviction and communion with the Lord Jesus, and is with the sword of the Spirit. We “labor according to his working in us” (Col. 1:29). And whatever our particular callings and relations, we have a duty to act for our Savior. Too many think of this primarily in terms of political action, but what of the effort of family godliness, engaging with each soul in one’s family, serving those around you, and equipping them with God’s truth so that they can walk with him all their days. This effort alone will require the time allotted to most – at least, to do it well. There is also action required to serve and edify the body of Christ, his church, for we must make an effort in giving and hospitality, serving and encouraging. In our world, much action is needed to see men brought to saving faith in Jesus Christ and the honor of God upheld. The point is that Jonathan believed God and acted. Faith is living. Faith works. Faith without works is dead. Faith without effort is unthinkable.
The Effects of Individual Consecration
Jonathan had to open his mouth and make himself known to the Philistine garrison. He had to climb up the tall rock on his hands and feet. Then, he had to charge into the enemy and attack. Did he think about dying or the cost of his actions? He thought about the Lord. Individual conviction and effort require consecration to the Lord to “take the plunge.” The plunge might be giving a witness for Christ to someone you have known for a long time but have never shared with them their need for a Savior. The plunge might be denying yourself respecting a personal sin, such as anxiety, lust, or gluttony. At the end of the day, it is love for Christ that constrains and motivates us (2 Cor. 5:14). His love for us holds us together. As we know his love for us better, we are filled with God’s fullness, his strength and life. This is the fuel of personal consecration. It is what is often lacking even where there is a general biblical conviction and even some effort being made. But what happens when we face a huge barrier, or fall into sin again, or find the disciple’s path of self-denial much harder than we anticipated. We will climb Bozez and Sineh if we are consecrated to the Lord. Our Lord constantly urged this upon those who would follow him – “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” This is the language of forsaking what lies behind, renouncing self and sin, and seeking the new self in union with Christ.
Consecration, like conviction and effort, is born of communion with Christ. Jonathan was a believer in the Lord’s promise. The very reason he distinguished the circumcised from the uncircumcised was not national pride but personal faith in the Lord and his word. This becomes more evident as his relationship with David begins and develops. He sees in David’s the Lord’s Anointed, the Lord’s Christ. Thus, it is not a stretch to read consecration to Christ back into Jonathan’s actions that glorious day. Like Abraham, Jonathan saw Christ’s day and was glad (John 8:56). Like Moses, Jonathan chose suffering for Christ rather than all the riches and pleasures of the world (Heb. 11:26). This is the secret of individual consecration – that we love Jesus Christ, desire his honor in the world, and are committed to pleasing him. This movement of the soul toward Christ so that he becomes our life (Gal. 2:20) is his calling us and revealing himself to us (John 14:17). He will do so. He is not a secret Savior, a shy Savior who never talks. He talks and works; he shepherds and leads; he inspires us to be consecrated to him. Seek more communion with the Lord. Be more in prayer. Walk as he walked. Ask him for strength and consecration. Through consecrated believers of conviction and effort the Lord will save his church, his true Israel.
As we seek the Lord together, let us examine ourselves and seek the grace of Christ as we ask these questions of our text and make honest application of it to our own hearts, lives, and times?
Are we living to strengthen convictions or water them down?
What relations and activities weaken our convictions about God and his word?
How can we strengthen conviction that leads to action?
Why it is important to remember that the Lord uses the weak to bring down the strong?
Do we think of Christian discipleship in terms of consecration to Christ?
How can we live consecrated lives in our times? Where is consecration particularly needed?
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