1 Samuel

1 Samuel 14: Jonathan trusts the LORD to save

Begin in prayer

Before we climb the rocky crag with Jonathan and his armor bearer, and see that nothing holds the LORD back from saving, let us pray together. Ask Him to strengthen our trust, and to show us Jesus.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust the name of Yahweh our God.

Psalm 20:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that nothing can hold You back from saving Your people, and help us to trust You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jonathan told his armor bearer that they would cross over to the Philistine garrison, and he did not tell his father. Jonathan trusted that the LORD could save by many or by few, so the two men climbed up and struck down about twenty men. The LORD sent a trembling through the camp, and the earth quaked, so the Philistine army melted away and scattered. Saul counted his men, found Jonathan missing, and fought the Philistines, and the LORD saved Israel that day. Saul had bound the people with an oath that no one should eat until evening, so Jonathan ate a little honey without hearing the oath. When the lot fell on Jonathan, the people rescued him from death, and they said he had worked this great salvation.

As you read 1 Samuel 14, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Nothing can hold the LORD back from saving by many or by few.

Israel had few weapons and few men, and a Philistine garrison held the pass at Michmash (chapter 13 verses 22 and 23). Jonathan told only his armor bearer, and the two of them climbed a rocky crag toward the garrison (verses 1, 4 and 13). Jonathan said the LORD might work for them, because nothing holds Him back from saving by many or by few (verse 6). Jonathan asked for a sign, and the Philistines gave it, so he knew the LORD had delivered them (verses 8 to 12). They struck down about twenty men, and then a trembling went through the whole camp, and the earth quaked (verses 14 and 15). The Philistines melted away, the hiding Israelites joined the chase, and the text says the LORD saved Israel that day (verses 16 to 23). Meanwhile Saul bound the people with a rash oath not to eat, and it nearly cost Jonathan his life (verses 24 to 45). The LORD needs no army to save His people, and He works through those who trust Him.

How does 1 Samuel 14 show us that nothing can hold the LORD back from saving by many or by few?

Jonathan trusts the LORD to save.

Jonathan did not tell his father. He told his armor bearer that the LORD might work for them (verses 1 and 6). The armor bearer said he was with Jonathan, whatever was in his heart (verse 7). The two climbed up on their hands and feet toward the garrison (verse 13).

The LORD saves by many or by few.

Jonathan said there was no restraint on the LORD to save by many or by few (verse 6). Two men struck down about twenty Philistines (verses 13 and 14). Then a trembling went through the camp and the earth quaked, and the Philistines melted away (verses 15 and 16). Saul and his six hundred men came to the battle, and the hiding Israelites joined them (verses 20 to 22).

The victory was the LORD’s work.

The text says the LORD saved Israel that day (verse 23). The people said Jonathan had worked with God, and they rescued him from his father's oath (verse 45). Saul's oath had made the people faint, and God gave Saul no answer that day (verses 24 and 37). The victory is the LORD's, and He gives the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15 verse 57).

Memorise

It may be that Yahweh will work for us; for there is no restraint on Yahweh to save by many or by few.

1 Samuel 14:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I believe the LORD can save me, and have I come to Jesus?

Jonathan said, “It may be that Yahweh will work for us; for there is no restraint on Yahweh to save by many or by few.” Then the LORD sent a trembling through the camp, and the Philistines melted away.

Our enemy is greater than any army, because sin and death hold every one of us. We have no strength to win against them. Jesus went out alone to meet them. On the cross He died for His people, and then He rose and broke the hold of death. The victory is the LORD's, and it cannot be undone.

You do not need to be strong. Turn from your sin, and trust Jesus to save you. He forgives and saves everyone who trusts Him, and no one is too small or too weak for Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that nothing can hold the LORD back from saving His people. Jesus has overcome the world. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that nothing can hold Him back from saving, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Father, thank You that nothing can hold You back from saving Your people. Thank You for Jesus, who has overcome the world. Give us faith like Jonathan’s, and turn us from trusting our own strength. Help us to trust You in every battle this week. Amen.