1 Samuel 14: 1-23

The Difference Between Saul and Jonathan

Intro :Bleak Reality: “Axes verses Chariots”:

Chapter 13: 19 - 23: The Army of Israel had no weapons, “So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them...” (Ch. 13 :22)

Both Saul and Jonathan where given the same circumstances. From a human standpoint it was bleak, out numbered, facing superior weapons with plowshares, axes and slings.

They were discouraged, scared into hiding in caves, holes (Saddam), tombs, and cisterns. And they fled for their lives.(Ch. 13:6-7)

With the Word Bible Commentary 1 Samuel 14

Jonathan was the true leader in Israel, not Saul. The contrast between the two is striking. Saul was sitting while Jonathan was attacking the enemy. Saul trusted his growing army, but Jonathan trusted God and did not depend on numbers (v. 6). Saul watched things happen, but Jonathan made things happen.

Saul tried to impress people with an oath, but Jonathan did what was necessary to fight the battle. Saul weakened the army; Jonathan strengthened the army and challenged it to new victories.

Saul was great on words but weak on deeds

One saw only defeat the other opportunity. ( ) “…to teach us not to rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” One looked at what man can do the other what GOD can do. They both reveal their relationship to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Saul was Sitting while Jonathan was Attacking:

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Samuel (2) Saul Makes a Foolish Vow before the Lord (13:16b–14:46)

the king has established a public royal court complete with armed guards and an Aaronic priest in attendance

Saul is back in Gibeah with his court with the Priest and 600 soldiers. (vs.2-3)

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Samuel (2) Saul Makes a Foolish Vow before the Lord (13:16b–14:46)

Jonathan received encouragement from his armor-bearer, who was with him “heart and soul” (v. 7). The armor-bearer’s response, more eloquent in the Hebrew (lit., “I [am] with you like your heart [is with you]”), is a pledge of total support for whatever actions Jonathan might take

Jonathan is going to see what God might do. (vs.1)

Jonathan and His armor bearer: (vs. 4-15)

Faith-filled initiative: (v. 6) ...”for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or few.”

This desire raises from His heart. (v. 7)

Loyal Friend: The translations is “I am with you as your heart is with you.”

(v. 8-12) Jonathan prayer is:Jonathan’s plan for fighting the Philistines defied all military logic. First, he would give up the element of surprise: “We will cross over toward the men and let them see us” (v. 8). Second, he would avoid a skirmish with the Philistines if they abandoned their position of strategic superiority on the hilltop and exhausted themselves coming down to his position. On the other hand, he would attack if they challenged him to scale the sheer rock wall and then take them on. The plan is so absurd that if it did succeed it could only be because “the LORD has given them into our hands” (v. 10). Jonathan may have intended the phrase “the LORD has given them” as a wordplay on his own name, since it was expressed with a form of ntn and yhwh, the two lexical roots comprising his name.

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 156). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

(vs. 13) I don’t think they made it easy on Jonathan as he climbed up the cliff…rock, a few arrows and all kinds of insults. But none of these things discouraged him.

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 156). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Jonathan’s see’s what God can do first hand. (v. 14-15)

Then God Shows up: (v. 15)