1 Samuel 14:1-23: Jonathan Defeats the Philistines

The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 Samuel 14:1-23.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer show great faith and courage by sneaking out of the Israelite camp and attacking the Philistine outpost. They trust God to help them and give them a sign to go up. The Philistines panic and start killing each other. Saul and his men join the battle and see the Philistines fleeing in confusion. The Israelites who had been hiding or defecting also joined the fight and pursued the Philistines.

The Book of 1 Samuel beings with the unique birth of Samuel, the last judge of Israel. Soon, the people of Israel begin to press upon the aging prophet Samuel to anoint a king over them like the other nations. YHWH assures Samuel that the people are rejecting their God, not Samuel. He advises Samuel to give the people what they want. What follows is the rise and fall of King Saul, the eventual anointing and coronation of David as king, the forerunner of Jesus. It’s a true story of political intrigue and warfare, but it’s also more than that. 1 Samuel shows us God working to save his people from their enemies and even from themselves.