1 Samuel 14:16-23 – The effect of faith in God

Meanwhile Saul was still at Gibeah sitting under the pomegranate tree when Jonathan and his amour bearer had brought great panic in the camp of the Philistines. Saul’s watchmen went to see what was happening down at Michmash. The watchmen saw that the Philistines “…melted away; and they went here and there.” The word melted is interesting. It is used for wax that had become soft and flowing everywhere. That was what happened to the Philistines. Just imagine the Philistines became soft and scattering all over, no longer one single solid unit. All this was caused by the bravery of two men, Jonathan, and his armor-bearer.

Presumably, this was reported to Saul. Immediately he suspected that someone had crossed over and caused the panic. So he instructed the people with him to check who among his men had gone over to the Philistines. They counted and Jonathan and his armourbearer were missing. Evidently, Saul was losing control. He was oblivious even of his own people. How could he not notice the absence of his son? When he learned of his son’s absence, he asked for Ahijah, the priest to bring the Ark of God. He needed guidance at this point, so the Ark seemed to be the best means to seek God’s direction. While he was engaging in conversation with the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines got worse, so he asked the priest to “withdraw his hand.” This simply meant that he decided that there was no necessity to bring the Ark to him. From the noise generated by the panicking Philistines, he surmised that they were in trouble.

Verse 20 tells us that he rallied the people and they went into battle. No effort was required on his part. The Philistines were turning their swords against their own fellowmen in the midst of their confusion. Then there was the unexpected re-enforcement from the Hebrews, who earlier on went into hiding. They who were once scattered in fear emerged to join forces with Saul and the people of Israel. All these were not the work of Saul. We are told plainly in verse 23 that it was the Lord who had delivered them and the battle spread all the way to Beth-aven.

All it took was a brave man who placed his trust in the Lord. Here we see the contrast between Saul and his son. Jonathan who was assured earlier that God could save by few or by many was proven right. All he and his armor-bearer needed was to place themselves at the disposal of God. And as they did, a great victory for Israel resulted. Jonathan’s leadership accentuates the failure of Saul. This account tells us that life’s problem may seem insurmountable, but all we need is to be a person who shows unwavering faith and trust in God. One who in the face of impossibility dares to abandon himself to trust God’s ability!