1 Samuel 14:6 - Jonathan's Faith and Courage
The Story of Jonathan and his Armor Bearer
In 1 Samuel 14:6, we read the story of Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and his armor bearer, who embarked on a brave mission to defeat the Philistines. This story teaches us about faith, courage, and trust in God.
The Situation
The Philistines, Israel's arch-enemies, had gathered their forces and were preparing to attack the Israelites. King Saul and his men were encamped in the hill of Migron, while the Philistines were opposite them in the hill of Michmash. The Philistines had a strong army, with 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and countless soldiers on foot.
Jonathan's Plan
Jonathan, who was known for his bravery, came up with a plan to attack the Philistines. He turned to his armor bearer and said, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison which is on the other side." (1 Samuel 14:1, NKJV)
Jonathan's armor bearer was committed to following his master, and together they set out on their perilous journey.
Jonathan's Faith
In 1 Samuel 14:6, Jonathan says to his armor bearer, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison which is on the other side; but if they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up; for the Lord has given them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us."
Jonathan's faith is remarkable. He believed that God would give them victory, and he was willing to take a risk to trust in God's promise. He did not rely on his own strength or the strength of his armor bearer, but on the power of God.
The Outcome
When Jonathan and his armor bearer approached the Philistines, the guards called out to them, saying, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." (1 Samuel 14:12, NKJV) Jonathan took this as a sign from God, and together with his armor bearer, they climbed up and attacked the Philistines.
The Lord was with Jonathan, and they defeated the Philistines, causing a great tumult among the enemy's army.
Lessons from Jonathan's Faith
The story of Jonathan and his armor bearer teaches us several valuable lessons:
- Faith is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to trust in God despite our fears.
- Courage is not the absence of risk, but the willingness to take risks for the sake of obeying God's will.
- God is always with us, even in the most difficult situations, and He is faithful to deliver us.
As we reflect on 1 Samuel 14:6, may we be encouraged to trust in God's promises and to have the courage to obey His will, no matter the circumstances.
