1 Samuel 14:4 Commentary and Bible Study

We look at the interesting way in which Jonathan and his armour bearer did it. They both trust the Lord, and they cross this very difficult pass, and get up into a rocky area where the Philistines were bedded in and ready for offensive. It is difficult to understand the description that we read here, and there are various interpretations of it, but obviously it was a very high and rocky area. ‘The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.’ These two ridges, faced each other. There are different scenarios set before us concerning this. One idea is that there is a long razor edge, and Jonathan got up and when finally he engaged the Philistines he was able to have such success by pulling one over the edge. As soon as he leaned over and looked, he pulled him over and his armour bearer, who was a few feet lower, slew him. One thing that is certain is that the Philistines in this narrative look over and see Jonathan and his armour bearer. They have deliberately revealed themselves to them, and they say here, ‘Ah these Hebrews are coming out of their holes.’ They say, ‘These are the cowards, the ones who have been hiding. Here we are, up here looking out, and if we only knew it, down here in all these folds and passes, and behind these crags and in these caves; that is where they are all hiding.’ Possibly the Philistine lookouts assumed that these were people coming over to their side, either for protection, or to join with them, because they saw that Israel was finished. Her defenders were so small; the Philistines were so numerous. We learn later in the chapter that there were Hebrews fighting on the side of the Philistines (verse 21), and so the Philistines would have seen this as a distinct possibility. ‘And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.’ He knew his Scripture, did Jonathan. In both Deuteronomy and Joshua, there are given the great promises of God to be with his people, however few they may be, against however many, and to defend them when they call upon him. He is working accordant according to God's promises to Israel. ‘How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?’ (Deuteronomy 32:30). And there is a glorious carrying out of this in Joshua: ‘But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. ⁹ For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. ¹⁰ One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you’ (Joshua 23:8-10).‘Of these uncircumcised’ – some suggest that he means it contemptuously. But no, it his way of saying, ‘Don't forget that we are the nation God has chosen, and God is with us. We are his people. These are not his people. They are pagan and they are against God's cause.’ He says, ‘It may be that the Lord will work for us, for there is no restraint to the Lord to say by many or by few. And his armour bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart’, and he pledged himself with him. The young man has the same faith and determination.