Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
1 Samuel 14:1–14
14 One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.
2 Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron. 3 Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord who had served at Shiloh.
No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. 4 To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh. 5 The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba. 6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”
8 “All right, then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the Lord’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”
11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” 12 Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”
“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!”
13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
14 One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.
2 Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron. 3 Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord who had served at Shiloh.
No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. 4 To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh. 5 The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba. 6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”
8 “All right, then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the Lord’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”
11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” 12 Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”
“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!”
13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
Commentary:
14:6 When the narrative resumes with recapitulation from verse 1, Jonathan’s name is given in its longer form (yehonatan rather than yonatan; cf. comment on 14:10). Another change is that Jonathan refers to the Philistines by the contemptuous expression “these uncircumcised” (cf. 17:26). The Philistines did not practice circumcision, as most Semitic peoples did. More significantly, for Israel circumcision was a mark of God’s covenant, and so the uncircumcised were those not in a proper covenant relationship with the Lord.
Jonathan’s proposal is an expression of his confident faith that the Lord will assist them against his enemies and those of his people (cf. David in 17:37). “It may be that the LORD will work for us” expresses not doubt but carefulness not to presume. Jonathan leaves God free to act as he determines best, but he is certain that if the Lord decides to intervene, it will be sufficient to establish the outcome (Deut. 20:1)—a decided contrast with Saul’s attitude in 1 Samuel 13:11–12. “Saving” anticipates the result in 14:23 and recalls previous occasions where superior numbers did not lead to victory (e.g., Judg. 7:7, 14).
14:7 Jonathan’s armor-bearer encourages him to go ahead with his proposal. The colloquial expressions “Do as you wish” (lit., “Reach out for yourself”) and “Behold, I am with you heart and soul” (lit., “Behold, I am with you according to your heart”) confirm his support, which comes from a faith similar to Jonathan’s. There are still those in Israel who trust in the Lord.
John L. Mackay, “1-2 Samuel,” in 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. III, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 152.
Jonathan’s proposal is an expression of his confident faith that the Lord will assist them against his enemies and those of his people (cf. David in 17:37). “It may be that the LORD will work for us” expresses not doubt but carefulness not to presume. Jonathan leaves God free to act as he determines best, but he is certain that if the Lord decides to intervene, it will be sufficient to establish the outcome (Deut. 20:1)—a decided contrast with Saul’s attitude in 1 Samuel 13:11–12. “Saving” anticipates the result in 14:23 and recalls previous occasions where superior numbers did not lead to victory (e.g., Judg. 7:7, 14).
14:7 Jonathan’s armor-bearer encourages him to go ahead with his proposal. The colloquial expressions “Do as you wish” (lit., “Reach out for yourself”) and “Behold, I am with you heart and soul” (lit., “Behold, I am with you according to your heart”) confirm his support, which comes from a faith similar to Jonathan’s. There are still those in Israel who trust in the Lord.
John L. Mackay, “1-2 Samuel,” in 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. III, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 152.
Questions:
Jonathan was preparing to approach a Philistine outpost when he turned to his armor bearer and shared his plan. The climb ahead was steep, the enemy was strong, and there were only two of them. His armor bearer could have listed every reason the plan was unlikely to work. Instead, he told Jonathan, “Do what you think is best. I'm with you completely, whatever you decide”. He was willing to face the danger alongside him.
We can be hesitant to let people get that close to our lives. We know how to talk about being busy or having a difficult week without telling anyone what's really going on. We can show up at church, talk about Scripture, and encourage other people while keeping our own struggles tucked away. Maybe we're embarrassed by a sin we've fought for years. Maybe we're afraid someone will think less of us if we admit we're struggling. Or maybe we've been disappointed by people before, and keeping our distance feels safer.
Over time, we can become so accustomed to handling things privately that we forget how much we need other believers. We keep the same struggles to ourselves, make the same promises to do better, and miss opportunities for someone to speak truth into our lives. Sometimes we need another person to notice what we can't see, ask the question we've been avoiding, or remind us of what is true when we're discouraged. God often uses people who know us well to help us keep following Jesus.
Being that kind of friend takes work, too. Jonathan's armor bearer was willing to go with him into a dangerous place. It's easy to tell someone, “Let me know if you need anything,” and leave the responsibility with them. Sometimes love means reaching out first, asking how the conversation went, or remembering to check in when the excitement of a difficult moment has passed. We won't always know what to say, and we can't solve every problem. We can listen, pray, speak honestly, and keep showing up.
We can be hesitant to let people get that close to our lives. We know how to talk about being busy or having a difficult week without telling anyone what's really going on. We can show up at church, talk about Scripture, and encourage other people while keeping our own struggles tucked away. Maybe we're embarrassed by a sin we've fought for years. Maybe we're afraid someone will think less of us if we admit we're struggling. Or maybe we've been disappointed by people before, and keeping our distance feels safer.
Over time, we can become so accustomed to handling things privately that we forget how much we need other believers. We keep the same struggles to ourselves, make the same promises to do better, and miss opportunities for someone to speak truth into our lives. Sometimes we need another person to notice what we can't see, ask the question we've been avoiding, or remind us of what is true when we're discouraged. God often uses people who know us well to help us keep following Jesus.
Being that kind of friend takes work, too. Jonathan's armor bearer was willing to go with him into a dangerous place. It's easy to tell someone, “Let me know if you need anything,” and leave the responsibility with them. Sometimes love means reaching out first, asking how the conversation went, or remembering to check in when the excitement of a difficult moment has passed. We won't always know what to say, and we can't solve every problem. We can listen, pray, speak honestly, and keep showing up.
- Think about the last time someone asked how you were doing. Did you answer honestly, or just share minor things, things that are easy? What part of your walk with Jesus have you been reluctant to talk about, and what has keeping it private made harder to address?
- Jonathan had an armor bearer who was willing to stand beside him in a dangerous situation. Who in your life has permission to challenge your choices and ask about the struggles you would rather keep private? If no one comes to mind, who is someone you trust you could begin building that kind of relationship with, and what would you need to be willing to share?
- Think of someone you know who has been struggling or facing a difficult decision. Have you followed up on what they've shared, or have you assumed they'll ask for help if they need it? What is one specific way you can support them this week, whether through a direct conversation, practical help, or checking in again?
Prayer Topics:
- Confess the ways embarrassment, pride, or past disappointment have kept you from being honest about your struggles.
- Thank God for the people who have encouraged you, spoken truth to you, and helped you follow Jesus.
- Ask God for the humility to receive correction and the courage to let trusted believers into the parts of your life where you need help.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you notice when others are struggling and give you the willingness to reach out, follow up, and stand beside them.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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