Justin Houtz

1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13

DateVersionReading Plan
April 13, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

1 Samuel 14

Observation & Interpretation

In this chapter we are privy to how Jonathan, Saul’s son, was a man of God and a warrior in his own right. Jonathan took initiative with his armor bearer to attack the garrison of the Philistines. As the BBC makes note, “This was not a brash stunt or a foolish suicide mission. Jonathan was looking to God to provide a great victory. It did not matter that there were only two of them.” Jonathan expressed his faith in speaking to his armor bearer on how the interaction with the Philistines was to occur. If the Philistines responded to their showing themselves by telling them to wait, then Jonathan and his armor bearer were to stand still in their place. However, if the Philistines told Jonathan and his servant to come up to them, they were to go up because this was the sign that the LORD had given the Philistines into their hand. Both of them showed themselves to the Philistines and were told to come up, validating the sign of the LORD and Jonathan pursued battle which ended in victory over the Philistines. Again, the BBC is helpful to illuminate that “The faith evidenced by Jonathan (v. 6) and his armorbearer (v. 7) was all God needed to deal with the Philistines.”

Application

Jonathan proceeded with only himself and his armor bearer, but it was the LORD who gave the victory. While we seldom are in the context of such a military campaign, we are availed here the understanding of Who provides ultimate triumph over our enemies. Jonathan certainly displayed bravery, but this alone did not bring about a successful outcome. As we face trials of various kinds, let the faithful rest in the sovereign LORD of all, trusting that He will (and indeed already has) deliver us from our worst adversaries and bring us securely into His presence.

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