Faith Ignites A Victory | 1 Samuel 14:1-23
INTRODUCTION
Many times, God calls us to take a step of faith, but fear and hesitation hold us back from seizing the opportunities He places before us. We often see the obstacles and the risks, forgetting that God’s power is greater than any challenge. If God has placed something on your heart, He is inviting you to trust Him and step out in faith. God is ready to act on our behalf when we take that step of faith.
Today, we will look at Jonathan’s bold faith in 1 Samuel 14, a faith that led to a miraculous victory. Open your Bibles with me to 1 Samuel 14.
We will meet three main characters in this book. The main characters are Samuel himself, Saul, and David. Then, we have three supporting characters: Eli, Hannah, and Jonathan. Jonathan’s going to be our focus today, because I think that we are meant to learn some important things from the life of Jonathan—the faith of Jonathan.
Recap: In 1 Samuel 13:14, Saul forfeits his dynasty. He is not going to have a continuing dynasty. Jonathan was supposed to be the next king but he will not be. The scripture introduces Jonathan as Saul’s son here: 13:16, 22.
Faith in the Lord’s saving power can be the catalyst for his saving intervention.
Jonathan had a simple faith. Jonathan believed that God was in charge, that God had a plan, and all he had to do was just step into the stream of God’s plan.
1 Samuel 14:1
1One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
Earlier Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba (13:3); now he is going to the other side and wanting to attack the Philistines. Saul should have been thinking the attack, but Saul was looking at his dwindling forces and was afraid; but Jonathan and his armourbearer, just the both of them are going over to the enemy camp ready for a battle.
Remember, the philistines had a monopoly on iron weapons at this point and Israel is without weapons.
1 Samuel 13:19-20, 22
19Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” 20So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened.
The Israelites are really at a disadvantage. Philistines are a strong military force. They are well equipped.
1 Samuel 13:22
So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.
We are not expecting a whole lot from the Israelite army in this battle.
1 Samuel 14:2-3
2Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, 3among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod.. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.
Significance: Saul has lost his dynasty and right along Saul is Ahijah who is the descended of Eli, the priest who had forfeited his dynasty. So here is a parallels between Eli and Saul, individuals who forfeited their dynasty by not showing respect for the Lord.
Samuel is out of the picture in this chapter.
1 Samuel 14:4-6
4On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.
6Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men (uncircumcised means people who are not in covenant with the LORD). Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
1 Samuel 14:7
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
Jonathan’s attitude was different than his father’s. Saul was worried about less forces. Jonathan says, “Let’s go over there, maybe the Lord will act on our behalf.”
In just those two verses, we see a lot about simple faith. Two men are taking a venture of faith in this situation. People who have a simple faith are very well suited to take a venture of faith. What do I mean by a venture of faith? I mean doing something in agreement with God for His kingdom.
Nothing can Hinder the Lord From Saving.
The Lord can Save by Many, The Lord can Save by Few.
What might be ventures of faith be in our lives?
- It maybe something that maybe seems hard to us:
- It may be sharing your faith with someone, can be a venture of faith.
- For many of us, becoming involved in a ministry that has intimidated you could be a venture of faith.
- Gathering someone to do a Bible study can be a venture of faith.
- To reconcile with someone with whom you are in conflict with can be a step of faith.
Lessons on Simple Faith
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Courage in the Lord: Believe That What God Did, He Can Do.
Look what Jonathan said. He said about the Lord, “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving whether by many or by few.”
Now, where did Jonathan get that idea? Was that just wishful thinking?
Well, I think Jonathan knew. He knew what God had done in the past and applied it to what God could do. He knew the history of his people.
Of course, in the Book of Judges, we know that God used people who were weak and few to accomplish great things.
- Like Ehud, the left-handed man that no one credited him with having any ability, and yet he helped win over 10,000 enemies; Judges 3:12-30.
- Shamgar, who killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad; Judges 3:31.
- Jael, a courageous and often overlooked woman, who single-handedly defeated Jabin’s commander, Sisera, by driving a tent peg through his head, turning the tide of battle; Judges 4:17-22.
- Gideon, who won over the Midianites with just 300 men; Judges 6:1-8:35.
On and on it goes. I think Jonathan knew what God did do, so he knew what God could do.
For us, we can also rely on what God did do. We have biblical accounts, but we have something else, too. We have what God has done in our lives. Do you remember in 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel called it an Ebenezer? He raised an Ebenezer: “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” I wish I could hear your stories of what God has done for you. That helps you know that He can do it again, and we rest on those things in order to take a venture of faith.
ILLUSTRATION
Probably one of our biggest stories for our family, it was coming here some 21 years ago and starting a church with no money and no people, no strategies, we did not know what was behind us, we did not know what lied ahead of us. But we said, “Well, hey, nothing can hinder the Lord from saving whether by many or by few.
ILLUSTRATION
Another significant step of faith for us was moving to this larger hall when we were just a small group filling only 5-10 rows. We came from a previous facility that was one-fourth the size of this space and where we paid no rent at all. Moving here meant facing a substantial financial commitment with a much higher rent, but we believed God was leading us forward. It was a bold step of faith, trusting that the same God who had guided us before would continue to provide for us in this new place.
Believe That What God Did, He Can Do.
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Encouragement From Others.
Jonathan’s armour-bearer said to him, “Do all that’s in your heart. I am with you, heart and soul.”
First, we need courage in the Lord to take a venture of faith. Second, we need encouragement from others to help us in the process.
Do you see the root word “courage” in the word “encourage”? It is the opposite of fear. Courage equips us for ventures of faith. Encouragement propels/drives us for the task.
Every one of us here need encouragement, but we also should be encouragers.
APPLICATION
Now, I would say that each one of us in this room should strive to be this type of an armorbearer that says to the people in our world, whether it’s your husband, your children, your pastor, or your care cell leader, “I am with you, heart and soul,” “together we can make it” as opposed to “I’ll go this far with you; that’s all the far that I’m gonna go on this venture of faith.” No we should say to each other, “I’m with you, heart and soul.”
Everybody in this room needs an armour-bearer. You need a friend. You need someone beside you that says, “I’m with you. Let’s do it.” We love to have that person with skin on, a real person; but sometimes it is a reality that we don’t. Even the ones whom you are looking for encouragement to are discouraging you. But you know, the Holy Spirit is our encourager? The Holy Spirit is always with us. If it’s not irreverent to say it this way, the Holy Spirit would say when you take a step of faith in the Lord, “I’m with you, heart and soul,” and gives us that encouragement.
So, what is the venture of faith that’s in front of you right now?
What has the Lord opened up for you that you need to step out and say, “Hey, what can hinder the Lord?”
Some of you need to apply for that promotion.
Some of you need to pursue the call that God has given to you.
Some of you need to reach out to a difficult family member. What could hinder the Lord?
Some of you need to run for that position at your apartment or job or school where you can make a difference for the Lord.
There’s all kinds of things that God would put on our hearts to do, and the truth is that we feel weak and we feel lacking. We feel we are not well equipped. Remember, they didn’t have any good weapons. The Philistines saw to it that anything iron, they had to go to them to get them sharpened. So, here they were without good resources, and yet Jonathan’s heart is, “What can hinder the Lord?” because he knew that God had always worked with a little bit, few people, marginalized people, weak people.
1 Samuel 14:8-10
8Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. 9If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.”
It looks like Jonathan is setting up a fight here. If they say, “We will come to you,” we will wait for them. If the Philistines says, “Come up to us,” we will go to them. Now, climbing up the cliff and the enemy on top of you is foolish for they can easily be ambushed.
I believe Jonathan is saying to himself: “If it seems impossible, that will be a sign that the Lord is in it.”
When We’re Faced with the Impossible, It’s Often a Sign That the Lord is at Work.
Application:
What is the impossible situation in your life right now?
What is the big mountain you are facing that seems unmovable?
Perhaps God has given you a promise, but the breakthrough still seems out of reach. It might be a challenging relationship, a difficult decision, a financial burden, or a ministry opportunity that feels too daunting. God often calls us to step into situations that seem impossible to us because that’s where His power is most evident. When faced with the impossible, it’s often a sign that the Lord is at work. Ask yourself: What is the work that God is calling you to take up for His kingdom? Trust Him, step out in faith, and watch how He moves in ways beyond what you can imagine.
1 Samuel 14:11-12
11So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” (13:6) 12The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”
Jonathan sees himself as an agent of Israel.
He is not just fighting for his name or his glory, he is fighting for God’s people. He understands that the Lord wants to protect his people. The Lord has given us – It has already happened, it is as good as done.
You and I are the agent of God in this generation. The kingdom of God needs you to stand up and do his work. “God’s work is done through human hands that take up great exploits for God by trusting him in faith.”
“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” – William Carey
When we take a venture of faith, it’s not just all that easy. Jonathan had to climb up on his hands and feet. Jonathan applied himself to do the work that was required.
Ventures of Faith Require Work.
Ventures of faith require work. We may have to come out of our comfort zone. Work that extra hour, burn the midnight oil and pray, go take up a Bible course, go for a mission trip, sit for a fasting. Ventures of faith require work but God will honour that little efforts that you put in.
1 Samuel 14:13-14
13Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. ( Jonathan is striking the Philistines and his armourbearer is coming and finishing things off). 14In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre. 15Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook.
Earlier the Israelites were trembling and shaking, now the Philistines are afraid and it was a panic situation. It was a panic sent by God.
Jonathan realizes that this is the Lord’s battle and he has ignited a victory. Already the enemy is in total panic mode. So, God clearly honoured their simple faith and brought in a supernatural element as well, the ground shook.
The enemy is in panic. God sent an earthquake. Now, here is an interesting contrast between Jonathan’s simple faith, we have this strange response from Saul. Saul, instead of seizing the opportunity to go for the kill against the enemies said, “Let’s investigate the matter.”
1 Samuel 14:16
16Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions.
This is: Human Logic Vs Faith.
Faith Defies Human Logic.
Biblically, faith often goes beyond human reasoning and logic, especially when it comes to trusting God’s promises, power, and timing in impossible situations. For example, Hebrews 11 highlights numerous instances where faith led individuals to take actions that defied human understanding, like Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac or Moses leading the Israelites through the Red Sea. Faith calls believers to trust God even when circumstances seem illogical or impossible by human standards.
Saul wants to investigate who is responsible for this rout. We need an investigation because I need to know.
1 Samuel 14:17
Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.
When they had counted, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there, which may have provided a very small amount of relief for Saul because he probably never guessed Jonathan would replace him because his dynasty was not to endure.
But then he added another delay and another complication:
1 Samuel 14:18-19
18Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” {(Ahijah is the descended of Eli the priest. At that time the ark was with the Israelites.) [Footnote: Septuagint “Bring the ephod.”] Scholars say that the Ark was some distance away and probably it was ephod that was called to bring in.) (It makes sense for a priest to have an ephod. Ephod is used to get God’s word. It is a kind of garment they would use for these purposes.} 19While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
See what is happening here: Jonathan has ignited a battle. The Philistines are in complete panic mode, a panic sent from God. Saul sees it and before he is willing to attack he is doing the religious ritual thing. We want to get a word from God, find out if God wants us to attack.
This is typical of Saul: Ritual before spiritual sensitivity and obedience.
Sometimes we also put ritual before practice or obedience. We have an opportunity to work for the Lord, to do good and then we say, “Hold on, wait. I want to fast and see if God really wants me to do this.” Fasting is important, seeking the Lord’s guidance is important but when God opens a door, you don’t waste time, you go ahead and do what the Lord wants you to do, Don’t Procrastinate. Don’t delay. This is exactly what Samuel told Saul in 1 Samuel 10:7.
1 Samuel 14:20-23
20Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords. 21Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. (Summary) 23So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.
Jonathan’s faith ignites a victory. The Lord saved Israel.
I like what Jonathan said:
“Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
ILLUSTRATION
We can see the expression of this theme in the inter-testament time. Judas Maccabees in the 2nd century BCE is leading a small force of Judah to face the powerful Syrian army. And the people of Judas Maccabees ask, “How can few as we are fight against so great and strong a multitude.” Judas Maccabees responds this way, “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by a few, for in the sight of heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by a few. It is not in the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from heaven. Judas then attacks the Syrians and routs them.
That sentiment expressed by Judas Maccabees seen in what we see here in 1 Samuel 14 where Jonathan wins this great victory over the Philistines. Jonathan recognizes that it is not about numbers with the Lord. If the Lord is with you, you are more powerful than your enemy.
CONCLUSION
Just as Jonathan’s simple faith ignited a miraculous victory, God calls each of us to step out in faith, trusting in His power and promises. The challenges before you may seem impossible, but remember that God is not limited by our resources or abilities. Faith is the catalyst that moves the heart of God and opens the door to His intervention. Whatever venture of faith God is placing on your heart today, take that step with confidence, knowing that nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.
LIFE APPLICATION
Trust in God as the Source of Victory
It is the Lord who is the source of victory. It is not in armies. It is not in ritual.
Step Out in Faith Despite the Odds
Faith in the Lord’s power can be the catalyst for the saving intervention. God often calls us to act in faith when the odds are against us; take that step knowing He can save by many or by few.
Act on God’s Promises, Not on Fear
Let God’s promises drive your actions rather than being paralyzed by fear or doubt.
Encourage and Support One Another in Faith
Be an encourager like Jonathan’s armor-bearer, standing with others in their ventures of faith and saying, “I am with you.”
Do Not Delay When God Opens a Door
When God provides an opportunity, act quickly in obedience without procrastinating or waiting for perfect conditions.
Faith Requires Action
Be willing to put in the effort, work hard, and push past your comfort zone to see God’s promises fulfilled.
Look for God’s Hand in Impossible Situations
Impossible situations are often the backdrop for God’s greatest works, so trust that He is moving even when things seem insurmountable. The Lord is an invincible warrior and can deliver by many or by few.