1 Samuel 14

The Philistines Defeated in Battle and Saul’s Impulsive Oath 

The Israeli-Philistine standoff is continued in this section in which Jonathan initiates an attack, the Lord fights for His people, and King Saul obsesses over an arbitrary oath. 

Jonathan’s Offensive

Secret Strategy

Vs. 1 - 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.

We are not given the reason that Jonathan did not inform his father of his plans.  But the author described the king under a tree on the defensive while Jonathan was strategizing an offensive.  We are also provided seemingly unnecessary details about the priestly lineage of Saul’s immediate company. Commentators speculate that the author was providing indirect commentary: God was moving on behalf of His people, but it was not through the expected channels of leadership. 

By Many or Few

Vs. 6 - Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.

In contrast to Saul, Jonathan had a true perception of God’s role as the leader and deliverer of His people. He viewed the Philistines as unbelievers under divine judgment whom God wanted exterminated (Genesis 17). He believed that God would work for His people in response to faith, as He had done repeatedly in Israel’s history. He also had learned that superior numbers were not necessary for God to give victory in battle.              - Thomas Constable

Jonathan could strengthen himself in promises such as Leviticus 26:8: Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you.     - David Guzik

Sign or Strategy? 

Vs. 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.”

Jonathan’s reasoning here seems more like strategy than superstition, more logical than lucky. But he was not sure of success, only that God was on his side. 

Keil explained this sign as indicating cowardice on the part of the garrison; but it seems to this writer that the sign might have been altogether an arbitrary one revealed to Jonathan by the Lord. The garrison might have thought the two men were defectors to their side, or that it was beneath the dignity of the whole garrison to go after only two opponents.             - James Coffman

The Lord Saved Israel

Panic

Vs. 15 - Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops.

After Jonathan’s successful attack and some type of earthquake, fear and confusion led the Philistines to turn their swords on one another.   The author described it as “terror from God.” 

Priests

Vs. 18-19 - Saul told Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God,” for it was with the Israelites at that time. While Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistine camp increased in intensity. So Saul said to the priest, “Stop what you’re doing.”

When Saul should have been acting, he was waiting, and when he should have been waiting, he was acting. He may have viewed the ark as a talisman that he planned to use to secure God’s help. Or he may have used the Urim and Thummim. As Saul watched, the multitude of Philistine soldiers that covered the area began to dissipate. He evidently concluded that he did not need to seek the Lord’s guidance or blessing.              - Thomas Constable

Deserters

Vs. 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.

Fear and the seeming inevitability of defeat had apparently led some soldiers from Israel to desert and join the opposition.  

Deliverance

Vs. 23 - So the Lord saved Israel that day.

Despite a lack of clear communication between Saul and Jonathan and Saul’s consistent use of the ark of God as some kind of talisman for good luck, God chose to fight for His people.  Jonathan’s assessment that the Lord could save by many or few held true when an earthquake and a wave of confusion thwarted any chance the Philistines had for victory. 

Saul’s Foolish Oath

No Food while Fighting

Vs. 24 - 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.”

Saul made two oaths during this battle that most commentators describe as unnecessary and unwise.  The author does not speculate as to his motives, but the outcomes of these rash oaths seems to have been counterproductive to the cause. 

Physical and Spiritual Weakness

Vs. 31-32 - Since the Israelites were completely exhausted, they rushed to the plunder, took sheep, goats, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate meat with the blood still in it.

Jonathan argued that, especially in their scenario, eating would have made much sense.  He was nourished and energized by the honey in the forest.  It is noteworthy that the soldier’s weariness in battle and disregard for proper meat preparation was directly related to their weakened physical condition. 

Misguided Mission

Vs. 38-39 - Saul said, “All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let’s investigate how this sin has occurred today. As surely as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!”

The king was distressed when he learnt that God would not guarantee him victory in a proposed night attack on the Philistines. Assuming that one of his soldiers was responsible for this hindrance to God’s help, he added to his previous rash curse an equally rash vow to punish the offender.    - Don Fleming

Saul thought God did not answer him because someone had violated his rule, which he confused with God’s Law, calling violation of it sin.     - Thomas Constable

Saul’s continual attempts at spiritual leadership seem mechanical, as though he has a basic understanding of Judaism as his cultural religion but no real relationship with Yaweh.  He seems to think of God only as a power source to accomplish his military missions.  Any concern for obedience seems strategic, as though the favor of God could be earned by ritual without repentance.  

Essentially Saul refused to put the will of God above his own personal desires. Careful attention to the text shows that Saul showed great concern about the observance of religious rituals, but he failed to appreciate the indispensable importance of submitting his will to Yahweh. He sought to use God rather than allowing God to use him. He put himself in the position that God alone rightfully occupied.    - Thomas Constable

Summary of Saul’s Reign

Vs. 47 - When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction

Vs. 48 - He fought bravely, defeated the Amalekites, and rescued Israel from those who plundered them.

Despite his many weaknesses of character, Saul was a strong leader in battle and led Israel to many victories. He helped develop this strong leadership by collecting around him the best and most capable men from his own family circle and from the army.             - Don Fleming