Between A Rock And A Hard Choice (1 Samuel 20)

Have you ever found yourself in a no-win situation? The most famous, of course, is the Kobayashi Maru – an exercise given to Starfleet Academy cadets so they can experience fear in the face of certain death. Not sure how effective that is since everyone knows they’re not actually going to die.

There are other no-win scenarios in the real world. For example, a Cornelian dilemma is when no matter what a person chooses, it will be detrimental to themselves or someone near them.^[1]

Maybe you’re in what looks like a no-win situation, spiritually. Some circumstance, some choice, some relationship where it seems like you can’t do what’s right because it might not work out?

More generally, looking at the society around us, it’s easy to think, “Ok, God has given me these principles and these values and these commands to trust in and live by, but if I do, I’m going to lose everything to this Godless culture.”

When we have thoughts like that we should look to the examples the Lord has for us in His word.

1 Samuel 20 is a story of desperation. David is wracked by fear, worried that God won’t keep His promises. Saul is plagued by paranoia, in full rebellion against God’s will. The nation was in a precarious and dangerous position.

In the middle we have Jonathan, Saul’s oldest son and David’s closest friend. That seems like a no-win situation. Which side should he choose? Any choice he made would come with serious consequences. Neither party was really doing what they should, but Jonathan had loyalty to both.

But because he was Godly and faithful, and because he allowed his faith to dictate his actions, we will see the power of God working through his life and he is able to do the impossible – to fulfill his duty and navigate a no-win situation, helping to stabilize the nation along the way.

1 Samuel 20:1 – David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What did I do wrong? How have I sinned against your father so that he wants to take my life?”

David was the hero of Israel. He was an army commander. He was also Saul’s son-in-law. God announced He was going to give the throne to David because Saul rejected the word of the Lord. Because Saul was jealous of David and angry at God, he tried to kill David, but was unsuccessful time and time again. He tried all sorts of schemes, none of them worked because God intervened.

At the end of chapter 19, Saul sent 4 volleys of agents to go get David in Ramah, but each time when they got there, the Spirit of God came upon them and they started prophesying. It’s one of the more comical miracles of the Old Testament. Don’t say God doesn’t like to have fun!

Despite God’s faithfulness, David was afraid and he convinced himself that eventually God would let him down. So, he comes to Jonathan to plead his case and get some help.

1 Samuel 20:2 – ² Jonathan said to him, “No, you won’t die. Listen, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This can’t be true.”

Jonathan wasn’t right about his dad but he was absolutely right about David. He wasn’t going to die. There were times Jonathan spoke prophetically, but he’s not having a vision here. He just believed what God promised and he accepted God’s will even though it was going to cost him. Jonathan is the crown prince. He should have the throne after Saul. But in chapter 18, Jonathan met with David and gave him his robe, his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt. He knew what God had decreed and so he renounced his claim to the throne. He trusted God’s way.

Jonathan was more concerned with his spirituality than his success. When we see him in 1 Samuel, he always has this mindset: What does God want? How can I be part of what God is doing?

1 Samuel 20:3 – ³ But David said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor with you. He has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or else he will be grieved.’ ” David also swore, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”

David was wrong again. There wasn’t a step between him and death, there was a Savior between him and death. And the Savior used Jonathan as a shield for David in his time of need.

1 Samuel 20:4 – ⁴ Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”

David came frantic and desperate. There’s indication in the language that he really didn’t speak to Jonathan like a friend.^[2] But, in this moment of stress, Jonathan was full of faith in God. And God used him personally to minister to David. Jonathan didn’t say, “Look, this really isn’t my problem.” He had a heart of compassion. He thought of himself humbly, as a servant. And God used him.

1 Samuel 20:5-8 – ⁵ So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I’m supposed to sit down and eat with the king. Instead, let me go, and I’ll hide in the countryside for the next two nights. ⁶ If your father misses me at all, say, ‘David urgently requested my permission to go quickly to his hometown, Bethlehem, for an annual sacrifice there involving the whole clan.’ ⁷ If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he becomes angry, you will know he has evil intentions. ⁸ Deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the Lord. If I have done anything wrong, then kill me yourself; why take me to your father?”

David was a great tactician, but his tactics would lead him into one of the darkest periods of his spiritual life. But we see, in this moment, he doesn’t appeal to God for help. Instead ends with this manipulative and overly dramatic ultimatum: Kill me yourself! David’s faith was faltering which led to him scrambling.

Despite the pressure and the manipulation Jonathan’s faith is active. Now, walking by faith is going to put him right in the path of danger, but we’ll see Jonathan is safe in the hands of God.

1 Samuel 20:9-11 – ⁹ “No!” Jonathan responded. “If I ever find out my father has evil intentions against you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?” ¹⁰ So David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” ¹¹ He answered David, “Come on, let’s go out to the countryside.” So both of them went out to the countryside.

Jonathan says, “Come with me.” He wasn’t afraid to be seen with David. He wasn’t afraid to spend time with him. This is the man who is going to take your crown, your throne, and your position. But Jonathan did not allow jealousy to grow in his heart.

As Christians, we’re called to lend our strength to help brothers and sisters who are weak among us. We’re to personally encourage one another and build each other up,^[3] not tear people down.

1 Samuel 20:12-16 – ¹² “By the Lord, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you? ¹³ If my father intends to bring evil on you, may the Lord punish Jonathan and do so severely if I do not tell you and send you away so you may leave safely. May the Lord be with you, just as he was with my father. ¹⁴ If I continue to live, show me kindness from the Lord, but if I die, ¹⁵ don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household—not even when the Lord cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” ¹⁶ Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord hold David’s enemies accountable.” ¹⁷ Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

Jonathan believes God’s promises. He takes up David’s cause as his own. He trusts his future not to his own strength but to God’s mercy. Why? Because of love. Not just a brotherly love. Not just a friend’s love. Not a self-serving love. Not love that waits for the other person to do the right thing first. This is God’s love. We know it as agape, but that’s a New Testament word. The Old Testament speaks about God’s hesed love. Jonathan uses that term twice here where we read “kindness.”

Hesed is a covenant commitment of loyalty, compassion, and grace.^[4] Jonathan wasn’t doing this because he and David were buddies, but because he made a covenant of active loyalty with him. His mindset was bigger than the here and now. Look at how he talks about their future. He says, “I may not even be around for the fulfillment of these things. But, if I’m still alive, show me mercy. Show my family mercy.”

Jonathan had the most to gain from David’s death. And he had the most to lose if David survived. But he surrendered his life into the plan of God because he believed that God knew best.

1 Samuel 20:18-24a – ¹⁸ Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the New Moon; you’ll be missed because your seat will be empty. ¹⁹ The following day hurry down and go to the place where you hid on the day this incident began and stay beside the rock Ezel. ²⁰ I will shoot three arrows beside it as if I’m aiming at a target. ²¹ Then I will send a servant and say, ‘Go and find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to the servant, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you—get them,’ then come, because as the Lord lives, it is safe for you and there is no problem. ²² But if I say this to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you!’ then go, for the Lord is sending you away. ²³ As for the matter you and I have spoken about, the Lord will be a witness between you and me forever.” ²⁴ So David hid in the countryside.

“The Lord will be a witness.” He knew the Lord was watching. He knew the Lord was with them. In the moment, David felt forsaken and alone. But Jonathan told him, “No, God is still in charge. He is still accomplishing His plan and He will not let your life fall through the cracks.”

1 Samuel 20:24b-25 – At the New Moon, the king sat down to eat the meal. ²⁵ He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David’s place was empty.

Have you ever had a really uncomfortable meal with someone? Imagine the pressure of this dinner. There are the 4 seats. Jonathan is across the table, facing Saul. David’s seat is empty. But Jonathan is unafraid. He does not hide or cower. He faces his father with confidence and courage, not because he plans to fight him, but because he knows the Lord is with him.

1 Samuel 20:26-27 – ²⁶ Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, “Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean—yes, that’s it, he is unclean.” ²⁷ However, the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why didn’t Jesse’s son come to the meal either yesterday or today?”

The first day was a holy day and Saul knew that David was a devout follower of the Law. But the second day was not a holy day. You could eat that meal even if you were ceremonially unclean.^[5]

1 Samuel 20:28-29 – ²⁸ Jonathan answered, “David asked for my permission to go to Bethlehem. ²⁹ He said, ‘Please let me go because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor with you, let me go so I can see my brothers.’ That’s why he didn’t come to the king’s table.”

Was it wrong for Jonathan to tell this lie? Robert Bergen writes, “Jonathan would have to tell his father a lie, but not one that would violate either the letter or spirit of the Torah, since its purpose was to preserve innocent life.”^[6] The plan succeeded in revealing Saul’s true plans for David.

1 Samuel 20:30-31 – ³⁰ Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you are siding with Jesse’s son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother? ³¹ Every day Jesse’s son lives on earth you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me—he must die!”

In his rage, Saul tried to use “three powerful motivators: shame, guilt, and greed.”^[7] He dangles the throne in front of Jonathan. How could he possibly choose to derail his own future? Well, Jonathan’s identity wasn’t tied to wealth, power, or earthly success. He life was about God’s will.

But this is a moment of decision. Saul says, “Bring David to me.” The Christian life is a life of decisions. There are many days when we’re able to just exist and live a regular life. But all of us will necessarily be brought to moments where choices must be made. Choices to either trust God or trust ourselves. Choices to do what is convenient in the short term or to do what is eternally right. Choices to follow the commands of God or to compromise with a raging world.

In those moments of choice we can step back and see that the world’s offer is not genuine. In this moment, Saul has no love for his son. In fact, he won’t even call him his son. He won’t use his name. This is all pressure to reject God’s will and instead try to gain something temporal.

1 Samuel 20:32-33 – ³² Jonathan answered his father back, “Why is he to be killed? What has he done?” ³³ Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David.

One commentator writes, “Since Saul’s son had chosen to identify himself with David, he must be treated like David.”^[8]

When we walk by faith, we should expect to be treated the way Christ was treated. Jesus promised us, “You will be hated by everyone because of My name.”^[9]

Jonathan did not shrink. He boldly spoke the truth. He challenged Saul’s wickedness with words. He didn’t throw the spear back. He didn’t rally troops to depose the king. He knew God was already accomplishing that plan and he was in step with what God was doing.

1 Samuel 20:34 – ³⁴ He got up from the table fiercely angry and did not eat any food that second day of the New Moon, for he was grieved because of his father’s shameful behavior toward David. 

The thing Jonathan was most upset about was not that he was almost killed by his own dad (again), but that his father was acting shamefully toward the Lord’s anointed. What an amazing perspective Jonathan had! On his life. On what really mattered. On what should and shouldn’t be done. It was all informed by his faith and trust in the Lord – his confidence that God’s way is best.

1 Samuel 20:35-42 – ³⁵ In the morning Jonathan went out to the countryside for the appointed meeting with David. A young servant was with him. ³⁶ He said to the servant, “Run and find the arrows I’m shooting.” As the servant ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. ³⁷ He came to the location of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, but Jonathan called to him and said, “The arrow is beyond you, isn’t it?” ³⁸ Then Jonathan called to him, “Hurry up and don’t stop!” Jonathan’s servant picked up the arrow and returned to his master. ³⁹ He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. ⁴⁰ Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the servant who was with him and said, “Go, take it back to the city.” ⁴¹ When the servant had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone Ezel, fell facedown to the ground, and paid homage three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept with each other, though David wept more.  ⁴² Jonathan then said to David, “Go in the assurance the two of us pledged in the name of the Lord when we said, ‘The Lord will be a witness between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.’ ” Then David left, and Jonathan went into the city.

Jonathan followed through on his promise. Once again, he invoked God as a witness. David runs off to escape the danger. But what does Jonathan do? He goes back into the city! Back to Saul, who had just tried to kill him. Why didn’t he simply go with David? Because God had called Jonathan to stand beside his father. And so he returns in faith. This is amazing! He didn’t have to.

Jonathan navigated this no-win situation. He was used by God to minister to both David and Saul like light in the dark. Like salt, he preserved life and held back the spread of evil.

It cost him a lot. But throughout Jonathan’s story we see that he was fine with that because he knew this wasn’t about a fight between his father and his friend. It wasn’t about who gets to sit on an earthly throne for a few years. This was about walking with God, being used by God, and trusting that God knew what He was doing.

We live in a culture that is trying hard to make you hate people. Some group, some opponent. We’re supposed to see them as unforgivable. Irredeemable. Worthless. Enemies to be destroyed.

But that’s not the Christian calling. We’re supposed to stand against certain ideologies and philosophies – the doctrines of demons. But Jonathan’s example here is a reminder that the Christian calling is to follow Jesus and be in whatever position He places you. Jonathan didn’t live in the mindset that he’s either team David or team Saul. He acknowledged that God was bringing Saul down and raising David up. But Jonathan was really just on team Jehovah. And that’s why he was able to navigate this no-win situation with integrity and effectiveness. That’s why he could say, “David is going to be the next king,” but then go back to Saul’s court and give his life in defense of his father. That’s what God asked of Jonathan. That was the unique position God placed him in.

That’s how Daniel was able to be friends with Nebuchadnezzar. Or Manaen could be a close friend of Herod the tetrarch. Because God places His people not to destroy others but to minister to them.

God’s desire is to reconcile and to sustain and to redeem. That doesn’t mean He would overlook Saul’s evil. But it means He would send people like Jonathan into these situations to be light, to be salt, to rise above the anger and the manipulations and the worldly perspectives and instead work grace. Grace is loving kindness to the undeserving. Saul did an unforgivable thing when he tried to kill his son. But there’s Jonathan, back in place Monday morning.

Are you in a no-win situation? Do you feel like we’re in a lose-lose culture? That’s a great place to be if you’re willing to walk like Jonathan. Because your life can become a conduit of world-saving grace. You can be the salty solution to a no-win situation.

The Good Son (Jonathan part 3)

Traditionally, the President’s kids are somewhat off-limits to the press. That is until they come of age. The adult children of Presidents are often covered with little mercy from the media. In recent years, the Presidential kids have inflamed a lot of emotion. Whether it was Don Jr. or Eric or Ivanka or Hunter, many people loved to hate one or the other.

Not so with Jonathan. We’ve been looking at his remarkable life. He was full of courage and Godly devotion. He was so gracious and so faithful that sometimes we think he’s making a terrible mistake. His character comes out most strikingly in his relationship with his father, King Saul. We’ve seen Jonathan the warrior and Jonathan the friend. Tonight we examine Jonathan the son, who stood beside Saul, stood up to him, and stood between him and his enemies. As before, we’re given three snapshots in First Samuel that show us Jonathan, the son. The first is in chapter 14.

In our study on Jonathan the warrior, we went through the famous story of how he and his armor-bearer attacked a Philistine garrison and how that became a catalyst for a miraculous victory for Israel. We pick up that story now in the second part of verse 23.

1 Samuel 14:23b-24 – The battle extended beyond Beth-aven, 24 and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: “The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

Jonathan is always a stark contrast to his father. Remember back to what Jonathan had been doing. First, he led his thousand troops into victory. Then, he invited his armor-bearer on this magnificent venture of faith. He had an unwavering trust in God’s plan for Israel, and he wasn’t interested in getting glory for himself. He wanted glory for God, deliverance for God’s people, and the exaltation of Israel’s king. He inspired the people and his fellow troops.

Meanwhile, Saul was doing the opposite. While Jonathan was walking by faith, Saul was sitting around, hoping the fight wouldn’t come to him. Then, when they saw the vast Philistine army melting away in chaos and confusion, Saul takes the time to call the roll so he could figure out who dared to leave the camp without his approval.

Though Saul did, eventually, join the fight, here we see him disrupting the course of the battle to make his “rash oath.” It seems that he took the time to spread the word through the ranks. In a moment, we’ll see Jonathan hadn’t gotten the memo, but most everyone else had.

Saul overlooks the fatigue of the men who had been fighting so hard all day. Instead, he suggests they still haven’t done enough. After all, he needed to “take vengeance” on his enemies. And yet, it wasn’t Saul who had stepped out in faith against the Philistines. He practically missed the battle because of fear and ego. Now, instead of helping his men, he hamstrung them.

1 Samuel 14:25-26 – 25 Everyone went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it because they feared the oath.

The interwebs taught me that a healthy beehive, with just the right conditions, could make 10 pounds of honey a day. Even still, it’s hard to imagine that this wasn’t a generous act of God’s providence. After all, He set off the chain of events that brought this victory out of nowhere. It’s surprising that a school like Baylor would defeat the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs for the NCAA title this year, but that’s nothing compared to the Israelites versus the Philistines. They started this battle with only two swords. And now, the strongest, most technologically advanced army in the region was being routed before God’s people.

Along the way, God supplied some battle manna for them. What a fitting snack on the road, honey. A tender reminder of the promises God had made so long ago that He would bring them to a land “flowing with milk and honey.” A reminder that, despite their wanderings during the time of the Judges, He still loved them, He was still for them, and this was still their land. But, their king’s selfish, brutish command kept them from enjoying what God had so richly given.

1 Samuel 14:27-28 – 27 However, Jonathan had not heard his father make the troops swear the oath. He reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb. When he ate the honey, he had renewed energy., 28 Then one of the troops said, “Your father made the troops solemnly swear, ‘The man who eats food today is cursed,’ and the troops are exhausted.”

The men, it’s clear, are in a state of anxiety and fear. We’re told they were afraid in verse 26. Here we see it coming out again. No one thinks to warn Jonathan before he takes a taste. But then, once it’s done, someone musters enough courage to not only explain the situation to Jonathan but also voice their frustration and concern. “The troops are exhausted.”

So, we see the way these men felt about Jonathan. They’re worried about their captain because they know how severe Saul can be. They also know he can be approached and entrusted with their struggles and frustrations.

1 Samuel 14:29-30 – 29 Jonathan replied, “My father has brought trouble to the land. Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater.”

God wanted to give the people deliverance. Instead, Saul gave them trouble. Meanwhile, we see Jonathan not only had a thoughtful heart towards the soldiers around him, but he also had a bigger scale mindset than his father did. He was doing the math in his head. “We could’ve had a much greater victory if it hadn’t been for this short-sighted command.”

At this point, many of the Israelites give in to their hunger and start slaughtering animals to eat them without properly draining the blood out. Saul sees what’s going on and tells them they’re all traitors. But, it was his action that led to this result. Before they move on with the battle, Saul attempts to inquire of the Lord, but the Lord won’t answer. So, Saul assumes someone other than him has done something to anger the Lord, and lots are cast.

1 Samuel 14:38-40 – 38 Saul said, “All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let’s investigate how this sin has occurred today. 39 As surely as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!” Not one of the troops answered him. 40 So he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” And the troops replied, “Do whatever you want.”

We note that Saul has a completely adversarial attitude toward his men. What should’ve been a day of amazing triumph and celebration has been absolutely ruined because of Saul’s anger and selfishness. Look how the men, at first, won’t answer him and how, when they do, they simply say, “Do whatever you want.”

1 Samuel 14:42-46 – 42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was selected. 43 Saul commanded him, “Tell me what you did.” Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die!” 44 Saul declared to him, “May God punish me and do so severely if you do not die, Jonathan!” 45 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die? He accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? No, as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he worked with God’s help today.” So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die. 46 Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory.

Look at Jonathan in this harrowing scene. Make no mistake about it, this would’ve been a tense situation. Imagine you’re a soldier. You’re fighting this crazy battle. You’re about to fall over from hunger. You’re so hungry you maybe defiled yourself, eating meat with blood. Your king is raving how you’re a traitor. Then God stops speaking. Now the king is enraged and talking about executing people on the spot, even if it’s his own son, a man who is reverenced in your eyes. Amidst all this stress, the lot falls to Jonathan. And what does he say? “I tasted a little honey…I am ready to die.”

I was surprised to learn that aircraft hijacking is a capital offense in China, India, Georgia & Missouri.

Jonathan knows Saul is wrong to have made this decree. And yet, he is this dedicated to the king of Israel. We never see Jonathan trying to save his own life or make it secure. Instead, he acts as a living sacrifice. And he does so with fearless honesty. He was honest to the troops back in the forest, and he’s honest with his dad here. Because of his sterling courage and uprightness, the troops rally to him and save him from being murdered by Saul that day.

If only that were the last time Jonathan’s dad almost killed him. Turn to First Samuel, chapter 20. We saw the first part of this section when we examined Jonathan’s friendship with David. It’s when David hid in the field, and Jonathan promised to go and find out whether Saul really did intend to kill David. We skipped the middle part, so let’s pick that up now.

1 Samuel 20:24b-29 – At the New Moon, the king sat down to eat the meal. 25 He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David’s place was empty. 26 Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, “Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean—yes, that’s it, he is unclean.” 27 However, the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why didn’t Jesse’s son come to the meal either yesterday or today?” 28 Jonathan answered, “David asked for my permission to go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, ‘Please let me go because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor with you, let me go so I can see my brothers.’ That’s why he didn’t come to the king’s table.”

Theologians argue whether these moments of deception that we sometimes see in the Old Testament are morally acceptable or not. Without going down that rabbit trail, I will say this in Jonathan’s defense: It was David who thought up the fake story about Bethlehem. And, at this point, Jonathan was living under the (true) assumption that David was God’s anointed one. He had pledged himself accordingly. That’s not necessarily an excuse, but it is the context. So, having executed the plan, how did Saul respond?

1 Samuel 20:30-33 – 30 Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you are siding with Jesse’s son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother? 31 Every day Jesse’s son lives on earth you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me—he must die!” 32 Jonathan answered his father back, “Why is he to be killed? What has he done?” 33 Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David.

Maybe you’ve had a lousy family thanksgiving. Most families have a story or two about that one Christmas dinner, right? This was beyond uncomfortable. This was a disaster. Saul’s words were harsh and vulgar. We see just how unhinged he’s become. He says some vile things about Jonathan’s mother, then says Jonathan shouldn’t be disgracing her. He claims his great concern is for Jonathan’s dynasty, then immediately tries to murder him.

Jonathan, for his part, was willing to face this monster down. It wasn’t the first time he had stood up to his dad and rebuked him for his sinful conspiracy against David. But, even more than that, the writer gives us a window into his heart during this scene.

1 Samuel 14:34 – 34 He got up from the table fiercely angry and did not eat any food that second day of the New Moon, for he was grieved because of his father’s shameful behavior toward David.

So, his dad tried to murder him, and he was grieved because of Saul’s shameful behavior…toward David?!? Jonathan is completely surrendered to God’s will. He was so ready to honor God that he could hand over his throne and even lay down his life for the sake of someone else. His devotion filled his heart. So when he was personally insulted and wronged by his father, that’s not what bothered him. It was Saul’s rejection of David, and therefore God’s will, that bothered him.

But, it goes even further than that. After all Saul said and did, after his friend is driven out, spears go flying, all this stuff, here’s what we read in verse 42: “David left, and Jonathan went into the city.” Meaning he went back to his job supporting the king. That is courageous patience. That is sacrificial grace. This is a man faithful to the end. And he proves it in chapter 31, the last time we see him.

1 Samuel 31:1-2 – The Philistines fought against Israel, and Israel’s men fled from them and were killed on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

In David’s funeral lament, we’re told that Jonathan never retreated. He fought valiantly till the end. After the battle, his body was taken by the Philistines, along with those of his dad and his brothers. They were probably mutilated (at least Saul’s was) and then hung on display in Beth-shan. After this, brave men from Jabesh-Gilead took courage and rescued the remains of Saul and his sons, giving them as proper a burial as they could.

Few characters in the Old Testament were as true and noble and righteous as Jonathan. And few sacrificed so much in obedience to God. We read his story and we can’t help but wonder, “Why not let this guy be the king?” Wasn’t he, too, a man after God’s heart?

We don’t know why God chose David and not Jonathan, but we’re encouraged by the fact that Jonathan was fine with it. The next question that comes to mind is, “Ok, but why did he have to die? Wouldn’t he have been a much better help to David than, say, Joab?” Maybe. But, in many ways, it was a gracious thing that God allowed Jonathan to die when he did.

For one thing, it would be important that the people knew that God, and God alone, gave David the throne, not Jonathan. For another, we see the division that happened in Israel when Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, was installed as king in his father’s place. There was struggle and bloodshed. Think of how much worse it would’ve been if a valiant, beloved hero like Jonathan had been left alive. Jonathan’s death also spared him the trial of fighting against his own family, specifically Ish-bosheth or other members, when David did come to the throne.

Jonathan’s story was full of difficulty and ended in a tragedy of someone else’s making, but he was a man faithful to the end, full of Godliness, grace, and spiritual power.

I’ve been closing these studies by highlighting ways that Jonathan’s story prefigured the Person and work of Jesus Christ. We see many in our passages this evening.

Like Jonathan, Jesus Christ saw the vain traditions of men as being burdensome to people. When Jonathan heard about Saul’s oath, he said, “My father has troubled the people.” Like Jonathan, Jesus was willing to submit to the will of the Father, even if that meant death. Like Jonathan, Jesus spoke with courageous honesty to those around Him, whether they were friendly to Him or antagonistic to Him. Of course, like Jonathan, Jesus Christ laid down His life for unworthy people. If we were Jonathan’s advisors, we would’ve told him to abandon his father. And yet, Jonathan stayed the course, counting the cost, willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of another. While we were yet sinners, though we were at war with God, Christ died for us.

There’s one more glimmer in this type. Jonathan, whose name means “the gift of Jehovah.” died on Mount Gilboa. Many resources point out that the name means that Gilboa was a place of “bubbling water.” Where the prince laid down his life, a fountain flowed. This great son of the king lived a life of sacrifice so that another could be glorified.

The Prince of Peace laid down His life for us so that we can follow Him into fullness of victory. Let’s do so with grace, devotion, honesty and integrity and so follow Jonathan in our walk with the Lord.

A Friend In Deed (The Life Of Jonathan part 2)

The media loves to report on the falling out of famous friends. It’s rarer for famous friends to stay in support of one another through controversy, especially when popular opinion has turned. In 2006, after a video went viral of comedian Michael Richards yelling slurs at his audience, his longtime friend Jerry Seinfeld used an appearance on David Letterman’s show as an opportunity to give Michael a chance to publicly apologize. The executive producer of the show said the segment was all Jerry’s idea. While many were ready to cancel Michael Richards, Jerry hung in there. His publicist’s comment at the time was, “Jerry is just an extremely loyal person.”

Jonathan’s friendship with David is the most defining element of his story. We can’t think about Noah without the ark, Jonah without the great fish, or Daniel without the lion’s den. In the same way, we can’t think about Jonathan’s life without thinking about the relationship he had with David.

There are four passages that focus in on their remarkable friendship. In them we see something more than camaraderie or a good rapport. We see what happens when God is the foundation upon which a relationship is built. When the Lord is the centerpiece, He is able to produce profound unity, undying love, inexhaustible hope, and steadfast support even in dire circumstances.

Matthew Henry wrote,

“Where God unites hearts carnal matters are too weak to separate them.”

We begin our examination of this friendship in 1 Samuel, chapter 18.

1 Samuel 18:1 – When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan was bound to David in close friendship, and loved him as much as he loved himself.

It’s sad that we have to address this issue, but it comes up when you read about these guys. There are people who say that Jonathan and David were in a homosexual relationship with one another because of their affection and friendship and because David would later sing (in his funeral lament):

2 Samuel 1:26 – I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were such a friend to me. Your love for me was more wondrous than the love of women

What are we to make of these statements? First of all, two men who were as devoted to the Lord as David and Jonathan would never have been involved in that kind of sexual sin. Homosexuality was unheard of in Israel. God, who judged men like Saul and Eli and others for their sin, would not have overlooked such a blatant transgression of the law.

Second, we can evaluate the language used in these passages. Listen to this source:

“The Hebrew word used [here] for love involves a personal commitment of self in the purest and noblest intentions of trust and obedience toward God. It is not used to express homosexual desire or activity. The Hebrew word used in the sense of ‘having sex with’ in Genesis 19 is never used in [the] Jonathan-David relationship.”

What does it mean that their love exceeded the “love of women” then? Well, Jonathan was not only his friend, he also became David’s brother-in-law. Yet, David’s relationship with Michal fell apart while his relationship with Jonathan persisted. In that way, Jonathan’s love exceeded the love of (one of) David’s wives’. On top of that, David’s declaration confirms that their friendship wasn’t about physical attraction or romantic love. It was a unity far beyond temporal fondness. Instead we’re told three times that Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself – that he had bound himself to David. We’ll see that he did so in tender and costly ways.

Look at verse 3 of 1 Samuel 18.

1 Samuel 18:3-4 – 3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. 4 Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

This scene takes place after David slew Goliath. We’re not given all the detail we’d like, so it’s hard to say how different in ages David and Jonathan were. Some suggest they were about the same age, others go as far as saying Jonathan was maybe 10 years older than David.

David had come from tending sheep, to bring supplies to his brothers on the front lines. David killed the giant and now was brought into the palace to serve the king. Being a country boy, he wouldn’t have the kind of clothes that would be required for court. So here we see Jonathan very graciously providing proper apparel for his new friend.

But, he’s doing much more than a kind favor to David. Jonathan was the prince of Israel, Saul’s oldest son. He was heir to the throne. What he’s doing here is profound: He is stripping himself of his royalty and giving it to David. He willfully transferred his office and his claim to the throne to this young man who God had chosen to be king. Did Jonathan know that David had been anointed in place of his father back in chapter 16? It’s possible. It had been several years since that happened. At any rate, Jonathan understood that God had a specific plan for David, and he was on board with it all the way from the beginning.

In their friendship, Jonathan was not focused on what he would get out of it. Not primarily. There will be a time when he says, “If I don’t survive, take care of my family.” But we see here that Jonathan’s goal was to support and love David, no matter what it cost. Pastor David Guzik points out that Jonathan had the most to fear from David, from the human way of thinking. It was his throne David would be ‘taking.’ But no one loved David more than Jonathan, and he showed it, sacrificially.

Their friendship begins in chapter 19 where they had made a covenant. Now it’s put to the test.

1 Samuel 19:1a – Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David.

That escalated quickly! By now, David is not only a hero in Israel, he’s also Saul’s son-in-law. But madness and jealousy are consuming the king.

1 Samuel 19:1b-3 – But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much, 2 so he told him, “My father, Saul, intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning and hide in a secret place and stay there. 3 I’ll go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are and talk to him about you. When I see what he says, I’ll tell you.”

It seems there’s a new scandal among prominent people making the news every day. Whether it was Harvey Weinstein or Jeffrey Epstein, people around them always claim they didn’t know anything about their wicked behavior. Jonathan had no guile and no blind eyes. Despite his loyalty to the throne, he knew that his father was doing wrong. He didn’t pretend it wasn’t happening or try to save face or anything like that. He says to David, “My father wants to kill you,” and gives David counsel.

From this moment, Jonathan spends the rest of his life in a very difficult position. He has his love for David and his zeal to honor God’s will, and at the same time he has a duty to the current king, his father. In that tension, he’s always careful to watch out for David, but for a long time, Jonathan also holds out hope that he will be able to convince Saul to do the right thing. In that way he’s an example to us of 1 Corinthians 13:7 – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

In the next verses we see that Jonathan wasn’t just a friend in word, but a friend in deed.

1 Samuel 19:4-7 – 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to his father, Saul. He said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David. He hasn’t sinned against you; in fact, his actions have been a great advantage to you. 5 He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”
6 Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.” 7 So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he served him as he did before.

We’re having to move quickly through all of these stories, but it’s important to remember that Saul had already tried to kill David more than once. For Jonathan to stand up to the king and rebuke his sin took courage. He was taking his life in his hands. But, as Jonathan walked this tightrope of faithfulness, he knew this was the right thing to do.

It would’ve been easier to either just side with his dad or just abandon his dad. But instead he chose the more excellent way – God’s way. And because of it he was able to do accomplish this incredibly difficult thing. He turned the heart of Saul back from sin and restored David to service in the palace.

Sadly, Saul’s promise didn’t last long. By chapter 20, Saul is back on the war path against David, and it’s here that we read the most famous story concerning Jonathan and David’s friendship.

1 Samuel 20:1-2 – David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What did I do wrong? How have I sinned against your father so that he wants to take my life?” 2 Jonathan said to him, “No, you won’t die. Listen, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This can’t be true.”

Jonathan wasn’t stupid, but it does seem as though he’s not quite aware of what’s really going on here. Maybe he had been left out of the loop. It’s possible he didn’t know about the most recent attempts Saul made on David’s life. But we also know Jonathan had a resolute faith that God would do for David what He had promised.

Charles Ellicott writes:

“Jonathan…possessed…an intense, unswerving belief in the power of Jehovah of Israel to keep and to save all who trusted in Him.”

1 Samuel 20:3-4 – 3 But David said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor with you. He has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or else he will be grieved.’ ” David also swore, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.” 4 Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”

They hatch a plan to determine how serious Saul is about killing David. We’ll look a little more at what happens next time, but while Jonathan is at the feast, David is out in the field, waiting. Once everything goes down, we have that scene where Jonathan takes a young page out to the field and fires the arrows as a signal to David.

1 Samuel 20:41-42 – 41 When the servant had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone Ezel, fell facedown to the ground, and paid homage three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept with each other, though David wept more.
42 Jonathan then said to David, “Go in the assurance the two of us pledged in the name of the Lord when we said, ‘The Lord will be a witness between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.’ ” Then David left, and Jonathan went into the city.

There’s a significant difference between Jonathan and David in this passage. David is saying, “There’s only a step between me and death.” Jonathan is saying, “The Lord is going to do what He promised.” In the passages we’re given, Jonathan never waivers in his belief that God would, truly, do what He had promised for David. And here, as he provides for David to escape, Jonathan encourages him with the fact that God sees, God knows, and God is working on behalf of His people to accomplish His will. Jonathan did not give up hope when times were tough and there seemed to be no way forward. Instead, he pressed in to the promises of God, preached them to others, and continued executing his calling and commission as faithfully as ever.

We see one more instance of Jonathan and David’s friendship in 1 Samuel 23.

1 Samuel 23:15-18 – 15 David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God, 17 saying, “Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.” 18 Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence. Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

We used to show I Am Second videos from time to time here on Wednesday nights. I think Jonathan was, maybe, the first I Am Second believer. He tells David, “I’ll be your second-in-command.” Don’t forget, it was his throne, at least from the human perspective. But he recognized that the Lord had a different plan. And he was not only ok with that, he was excited to be a part of it!

Now, though this seems like just another renewal of covenant, it’s important that we realize what the context is. David had fled to the land of the Philistines in chapter 21. At this point he’s living as a fugitive exile in the wilderness. This is not a good period in David’s life or in his walk with the Lord. These were the years where David almost murdered Nabal and all his men for not showing him enough respect. These were the years when David complains when the Philistines won’t let him go to war with them against the Israelites. He was convinced that Saul was going to succeed in his effort to assassinate him.

What does Jonathan do? He encourages him, not to “feel better,” but in his faith in God. He doesn’t give him empty promises or cliche words. He speaks the truth of what God has revealed. Jonathan believe the word of God, even when it seemed like it couldn’t happen.

God used this man’s friendship to assist, support and sustain David through some of the most trying years of his life. What did Jonathan get in return? Nothing! Not on the earthly level, at least. Sure, they were friends, but Jonathan gave up a lot more than he got back on this side of eternity. He forfeited the crown. He forfeited praise from the people. He forfeited his father’s good graces. Why? Because his affection for David wasn’t selfish. It wasn’t worldly. He understood he was a part of God’s unfolding work – a work that would last forever. And all the pressure and all the burden and all the sacrifice was worth it to him to go God’s way.

John 15:13 – 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.

I often think of that as a person taking a bullet for another person. They lay down their lives to save a friend in a moment of crisis. But Jonathan shows us how a person, full of the Spirit of God, can lay down their lives every day for their friends. That’s the Christian’s calling, right? To take up our cross and die daily? In friendship that looks like Jonathan. Staying faithful, staying truthful, staying sacrificial, loving others as much as we love ourselves.

But, not only is he an example to us, he’s also a foreshadow of Christ. In each of these looks at Jonathan’s life as a warrior, a friend, and a son, we’ll be able to catch precious glimpses of our Savior. The Savior Who calls us His friends. He laid down His life for us. There is no greater love.

Here are some of those types: First, we see multiple times that Jonathan told David all his father said. Of course, I am not comparing Saul to God the Father, but it reminds us of how Jesus said, “I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.” He does not withhold, He reveals.

Like Jonathan, Jesus is bound to us with cords of love. Seeking our good and our elevation.

Like Jonathan, Jesus supplies us a robe that we might enter into the court of the king. His robe of righteousness, given freely as an act of selfless love.

Like Jonathan, Jesus shares His throne. Like Jonathan, Jesus was willing to endure very difficult circumstances to help and protect His friends. Like Jonathan, Jesus made an undying and unbreakable covenant with His friends. One that He upholds and affirms again and again. Like Jonathan, Jesus lives a life of unwavering loyalty.

Like Jonathan, Jesus interceded for the accused and advocated for them, restoring them into fellowship and service. Like Jonathan, Jesus remains faithful even when we are faithless. He encourages us in our faith, speaks the truth of God’s word to us, and supplies our needs. And, like Jonathan, Jesus has gone into the city before us. We’ve still got some time to wander in our pilgrimage, but the city is waiting. Jesus is there, and He will ever be our Friend. The greatest of Friends, who loves us more than we even love ourselves. A Friend Whose love surpasses all others, no matter the circumstances, no matter the struggles, no matter our failures. He is our Friend forever, fastened tight, always ready to embrace us and remind us and clear the way forward.

Jonathan: Warrior Prince

Have you heard of Audie Murphy? After Pearl Harbor, at 17 years old, he lied about his age so he could join the army. He first saw action in 1943. By the end of the war, Audie received every combat award for valor the U.S. had to offer. He won French and Belgian awards for heroism as well. He became the most decorated soldier for combat action in U.S. military history.

It’s easier to remember some of the bigger names from World War II, like Patton, Eisenhower, or MacArthur. But Audie’s heroics are the stuff of legend. He fought in France, in Sicily, and the liberation of Rome. During one battle, he ordered his men to fall back from an onslaught of tanks and infantrymen. Alone, he mounted an abandoned, burning tank destroyer and, with a single machine gun, contested the enemy’s advance. Wounded in the leg during the heavy fire, Murphy remained there for nearly an hour, repelling the attack of German soldiers on three sides.

In 1955, Audie played himself in the hit film To Hell And Back, which was based on his actions during the war. The movie held the record as Universal Studio’s highest-grossing film for 20 years.

1 Samuel is full of unforgettable characters. But perhaps the most inspiring is Saul’s son Jonathan. It can be easy to overlook his life or at least find it overshadowed by some of the other personalities in the book. He lived during an incredible period of change and transition in the history of Israel, and his story is surrounded by two of the most dramatic characters in all the Old Testament: David and Saul. David, of course, is the poet-king, the giant slayer, the sweet psalmist of Israel, the ancestor of the Messiah. He has his own covenant with God! Obviously, he’s a big deal. And then we have Saul, Israel’s first king, who starts with such power and promise but takes a path of pride, selfishness, and paranoia. We watch in horror as his heart-breaking story turns tragic.

In the midst of all of that, we have this other character – Jonathan. He’s truly remarkable. He’s part judge, part prophet, part prince. He’s a bold warrior and a loving family man. He’s deeply devoted to God and to the people of God, and he does not flinch, even in the hardest of circumstances.

Charles Ellicott wrote this:

“The character of the princely son of Saul is one of the most beautiful in the Old Testament story. He was the type of a true warrior of those wild, half-barbarous times—among brave men seemingly the bravest—a perfect soldier, whether fighting as a simple man-at-arms or as the general of an army—chivalrous and generous—utterly free from jealousy—a fervid believer in the God of Israel—a devoted and loyal son—a true patriot in the highest sense of the word, who sealed a devoted life by a noble death, dying as he did fighting for his king and his people. The long and steady friendship of Jonathan no doubt had a powerful and enduring influence on the after life of the greatest of the Hebrew sovereigns. The words, the unselfish, beautiful love, and, above all, the splendid example of the ill-fated son of Saul, have no doubt given their colouring to many of the noblest utterances in David’s Psalms and to not a few of the most heroic deeds in David’s life.”

I want us to look at Jonathan’s life from 3 perspectives: Jonathan the warrior, Jonathan the friend, and Jonathan the son. We’re given more than one story from each angle. In each, we’ll see how brightly he shines and serves for us as both instruction and inspiration.

Tonight, we want to learn from Jonathan as a warrior. The account of his life falls between 1 Samuel 13 and 31, beginning and ending on the battlefield.

Some context might help. Jonathan lived about 1,000 or 1,100 years before Christ’s birth. The nation of Israel was coming out of the time of the Judges, which was about 300 years of “political, moral, and spiritual anarchy and deterioration.” During this time, the Philistines are the main antagonists of God’s people. They had a lot of power and technology and determination. They had huge armed forces, not only in numbers but also in stature. We remember that giants like Goliath lived with and fought for the Philistines. We’re don’t know for certain, but using our best estimates, it seems that Jonathan is in his late teens or early twenties when he’s introduced to us in 1 Samuel 13.

1 Samuel 13:2 – 2 [Saul] chose three thousand men from Israel for himself: two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in Bethel’s hill country, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent.

The people of Israel had demanded a king, and God allowed it. After a great victory against the Ammonites, Saul retains a relatively small force, two-thirds with him, one-third with his son about four and a half miles apart in these two places. In-between was Geba, where the Philistines had established a garrison.

1 Samuel 13:3-4 – 3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison, in [Geba], and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”, 4 And all Israel heard the news, “Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison, and Israel is now repulsive to the Philistines.” Then the troops were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

What we find throughout Jonathan’s story is that he was a man of selfless courage who consistently sought out ways to glorify God and His anointed one. He did so at great personal expense, great peril, and sometimes he had to do it alone, but he did not falter in his faithfulness or his daring or his expectation that God was going to do things on behalf of His people.

Some commentators suggest that Jonathan simply tore down a Philistine pillar or flagstaff. Others suggest that he only assassinated one official in Gibeah, but it seems clear that the plain meaning is what happened. Jonathan took his 1,000 soldiers and destroyed this military outpost.

This action kicked off a major fight between Israel and the Philistines. But the little footnote we see there is that Saul was taking credit for the win at Gibeah.

Two things are important to note: First, as readers who love Jonathan and (rightly) disapprove of Saul, we think, “Hey, that’s not your victory!” But, the truth is, Jonathan wasn’t fighting for his own glory. He was fighting in the service of the king. His accomplishments did belong to the crown. And that leads us to our second important note: Jonathan does not complain. Later in the book, we see Saul complaining, right? He gets mad when he hears the song that “Saul has slain his thousands but David his ten thousands.” But Jonathan doesn’t complain or demand recognition. His heart is empty of selfish ambition. Even though he didn’t get his well-earned accolades that day, look what God did. Because Jonathan honored the Lord, the Lord ultimately honored him and made him shine like a star in the heavens. The truth is recorded and has been proclaimed for 3,000 years.

There’s another devotional application for us here – sometimes serving God will make us “repulsive” to the unbelieving world. Of course, these were real battles, with real lives lost. Naturally, the Philistines weren’t happy about being attacked, but going God’s way will sometimes lead to a backlash from the world. If that happens, don’t compromise. Rally to the Lord, rally to His people, and be strong and courageous.

In response to Jonathan’s attack, the Philistines amassed a vast army. Thousands of chariots. Troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. The Israelites were terrified, and they fled to caves and thickets, anywhere they could go to escape the danger. It is then that Saul offered his unlawful sacrifice, and the Lord sent Samuel to say, “I’m giving the kingdom to David.”

That’s the context of what we read in verse 23:

1 Samuel 13:23 – 23 Now a Philistine garrison took control of the pass at Michmash.

Michmash is where Saul had stationed himself with 2,000 troops in verse 1. Not long before that, in 1 Samuel 11, three hundred and thirty thousand soldiers had rallied to Saul to help deliver Jabesh-Gilead. But, by this point in 1 Samuel 13, Saul had sent 99% of them away. And now, after a stunning victory by Jonathan, Saul has lost his own position and had to fall back.

1 Samuel 14:1 – That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.

From the human perspective, their circumstances were terrible. Yet, Jonathan was hopeful and wanted to go out and glorify God. Make no mistake about it – they were in real trouble here. Because, not only had they lost 2,400 of their 3,000 troops, but a few verses earlier, you read that in this whole group, there were only two swords – one for Jonathan, one for Saul.

After taking stock of these circumstances, Jonathan thinks, “That’s plenty! Let’s see what we can do!” This is a great mentality for ministry. We’re not just supposed to do things for the sake of doing them, as we’ll see that’s not what Jonathan is doing here, but you don’t have to wait for a ton of resources to do God’s work. More resources can be helpful and can, sometimes, increase the scope or the reach of your efforts, but all of us can go out and do what we’ve been called to do right now. After all, Jesus sent the 12 out with nothing but a walking stick. No bread, no extra shirt, no money in their belts. God can do a lot through a little. Five loaves and two fish. One smooth stone in a sling. A widow’s two mites.

We see, too, that Jonathan was not impulsive. He’s thoughtful. He chooses not to notify his father of what he was doing, undoubtedly because Saul would’ve forbidden him from doing it. The king was sitting around under a tree, not doing what needed to be done, so Jonathan did not feel the need to be held back by him. Saul sits while Jonathan seeks.

1 Samuel 14:4-7 – 4 There were sharp columns of rock on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine garrison. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh; 5 one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba. 6 Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7 His armor-bearer responded, “Do what is in your heart. Go ahead! I’m completely with you.”

Jonathan’s perspective here is a great one. “We need help. God will help us. And He will help us through our effort and obedience.” But he makes no demands of God. He said, “Perhaps the Lord will help us.” He was courageous and daring, but he’s submitted to God’s will.

We also see that Jonathan had no interest in living at peace with the Philistines. Saul is waiting around, hoping the battle won’t come. He does the same thing during the Goliath incident. Not Jonathan. He knows what God has provided and called them to do, and his fervent faith inspired those around him to join in the Lord’s work, which was hard, dangerous work.

This pass that they had to cross would’ve been covered in thorn bushes, very difficult to navigate. It would leave them exposed to the enemy – no surprise attack. But Jonathan did not shrink.

1 Samuel 14:8-14 – 8 “All right,” Jonathan replied, “we’ll cross over to the men and then let them see us. 9 If they say, ‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us—that will be our sign.” 11 They let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison, and the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they’ve been hiding!” 12 The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer. “Come on up, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” they said. “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the Lord has handed them over to Israel.” 13 Jonathan climbed up using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Jonathan cut them down, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. 14 In that first assault Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in a half-acre field.

While so many other Israeli soldiers were hiding in fear or had even defected, Jonathan willingly showed himself to his enemies, knowing that if God was for him, none could be against him. As we read the account, it is, again, clear that Jonathan wasn’t acting for personal glory. His plan was bold, but he waited for identifiable leading before he proceeded.

Crawling up on his hands and feet would mean that he had no weapon at the ready. His faith is breath-taking. And, even in victory, we see his heart. He said in verse 12, “the Lord has handed them over to Israel.” Not “to me,” but to Israel. God’s glory and God’s people were his focus.

As a result of this attack, the Philistines fell into confusion, and the army started melting away. Rather than take advantage of this miracle God was working on their behalf, Saul uses his time to find out, “Who left the camp without my permission?” Finally, he realizes what an incredible opportunity he’s about to waste and he finally joins the fight.

1 Samuel 14:21-23 – 21 There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle. 23 So the Lord saved Israel that day.

When God moves, it’s not just about adding numbers to our side. Look at the transformation happening here: Men who were too scared to come out into the light of day – men who had turned traitor and had defected to the enemy were now coming back into the fold and were received into the ranks. All because Jonathan walked by faith. Jonathan was the instrument God used to set off this rescue of Israel that day. The Lord saved them from their enemies and, in the case of these defectors, God saved them from themselves. What great grace!

This moment of reconciliation helps us notice something else that’s so wonderful about Jonathan’s life: In many ways, he prefigures the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. In fact, the name “Jonathan” means “the gift of Jehovah,” reminding us of the ultimate gift God would give through Jesus.

In our passages tonight, what comparisons might we make?

First, Jonathan did not seek his own glory. His thoughts were always about God and God’s anointed and God’s people. Jesus said in John 8, verse 50, “I do not seek My own glory.” And, throughout His life, we see that Jesus took the form of a Servant, the ultimate Servant, in His mission to do God’s will. Jonathan, too, lived as a servant. He didn’t have to. He had brothers who were princes with him. His own father often refused to serve or humble himself. But not Jonathan. We’ll see an even greater depth of his servant’s heart when it comes to his relationship with Saul and with David.

Jonathan also prefigures Christ in the way he fought the enemy, head on. With his own hands, his own efforts, his own strength he fought the most important battles when everyone else was powerless to defend themselves. And, on top of that, he brought others with him into victory. Whether it was 1,000 men or just one armor-bearer, he was always inviting people to join him. It’s clear from the story in chapter 14 that Jonathan did not need of his armor-bearer, but he brought him along anyway and included him on that incredible adventure. Saul constantly sent people away, drove people away, isolated himself. Jonathan made it his business to seek out others and encourage them, fight alongside them, and build them up.

In that scene with the garrison and the armor-bearer, only Jonathan had a sword. It reminds us that, as we follow the Prince of Peace, He’s the only One with a sword. We don’t fight with our own weapons, but the one He supplies.

Like Jesus, Jonathan was willing to receive traitors back into the fold. Not all the Israelites simply ran away when the Philistines came against them. Many joined their enemies as defectors. And there’s Jonathan, ready to welcome them home. They didn’t deserve it – they deserved death – but his heart was full of compassion and grace toward people.

Jonathan’s story has been preserved to inspire us and instruct us – to show us an example of serving God passionately and faithfully and without fear. But it also gives us a passing glimpse of the Savior. What Jonathan was in his greatest, Jesus is in His smallest. He, too, is a victorious warrior, who didn’t conquer a Philistine stronghold or two, He defeated death and the grave and sin and the Devil. Prince Jonathan’s brightness is nothing in comparison to the unmatchable splendor of the Prince of Peace. As we look at the son of Saul, it should excite our hearts to love and honor and follow the Son of God.