Bible Verse Synopsis 5-29-25

1st Samuel 14.

Jonathan tells his armor bearer that they should go over to the Philistine garrison. He did not tell his father. Saul and his men tarried by Gibeah and had no idea of Jonathan’s absence. Verse 4 shows us what the path of God is like: “And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philisitines garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other side.” The road of our Lord is narrow and has sharp rocks on all sides. If we vary from the path we are likely to fall against these rocks and cut ourselves. Cuts of sin will hurt and scar us. Hopefully with these scars we learn and take note of the way to stay on the path. Are you learning from your scars? I forgot the lesson from my many scars often.

The environment of this area is naturally rocky and rough. With narrow passages and roads. It is a barren wasteland. At least it is now. It wasn’t in the times of Eden. Jonathan speaks of faith! Verse 6 - “ 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.” This has the air of confidence. But why would Jonathan have confidence in the Lord? God must be working in his heart to show him the ways. Verse 7 confirms this thought from his armor bearer. The armor bearer also says “turn thee; behold, I am with you according to your heart.” He is with Jonathan in the mission of his heart. What mission has God given your heart? Have you relayed anyone to walk with you in that journey? We all need company in our faith. Everything is easier with support.

Jonathan marks the encounter with the Philisitines immediately as controlled by God and demonstrates his faith. In Verse 10 “for the Lord has delivered them into our hands, and this shall be a sign for us.” Given the choices available Jonathan put the outcome purely in the Lord’s hands and he would follow whichever the outcome. This example is how great our faith should be. Be with God no matter the outcome! Because of his faith, Jonathan and his man were able to slaughter the entire garrison. With faith in God, God will act for us.

Upon this act, “the Earth quaked.” - verse 15. And the men of Philistine were confused and in terror after the quake and one of their garrisons fell to an unknown enemy. They knew not of Jonathan. Saul attempts to account for his men, trying to understand what is going on. He finds Jonathan and his armor bearer missing. Saul is more concerned with what is happening and why than to be thankful for it and take advantage of the opportunity. This is the weakness of the flesh personified in Saul. The flesh has curiosity and seeks knowledge of the world. The spirit seeks knowledge and understanding of God. Through Him we can attain knowledge of the flesh, because He created the flesh. Do you know your weakness? Do you understand the strength in the Spirit?

The scared men who hid joined the battle as Saul and his army and Jonathan and his armor bearer beat back the Philisitines, who were infighting and unsure of their enemy. For these men to come out was a work of God. Faith can lead even the afraid out of their caves. “So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven.” - Verse 23. Samuel (our author) recognized who the victory belonged to. Do you recognize when God gives us victories in our lives? And do you give Him the Glory of said victory? Big or small?

Saul inserts himself into the victory of God for he did little. He felt angst that the victory wasn’t his instead of rejoicing in the Lord. Verse 24 - “Cursed be the man who eats any food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies.” How foolish of Saul. When Israel came to a wood there was honey on the ground. But because of Saul. They were not allowed to partake “for the people feared the Oath.” - verse 26. This could only be from God and man continues to be an obstacle to himself and his relationship with the Lord. Are you getting in the way of God in your life? Can you eat of the honey in the woods or are you too consumed in the flesh?

Jonathan heard not his father make this oath and ate of the honey and his eyes lit up! This could only have been delicious honey 🍯 The people tell Jonathan of the rule his father made. Jonathan rebukes them saying “My father has troubled the land.” Jonathan sees the issue with his now opened and rejuvenated eyes. The victory in the Lord is so great that He has no fear and acts like it. Israel grows faint in their pursuit of the Philisitines. How much greater the victory would have been had they eaten of the honey? Men’s laws give us little gain and tend to hinder the influence of God on our lives. Don’t fall prey to this in your own life. Allow God and his influence to flourish, don’t stand in the way.

The people, upon their victory, slew and began eating the spoils without draining off the blood first. This was against the Old Law. Saul set up a place to drain the blood of the animals “roll a great stone unto me this day.” - Verse 33. Saul does not want them to sin against the Lord. Verse 35 - “And Saul built an Altar unto the Lord: the same was the first Altar that he built unto the Lord.” Saul seems to finally have given God his due. But does this hold? Are we giving God the credit He deserves?

Saul immediately reverts to his sinful ways. He desires to chase down the Philistines. He does go ask God through the Priest that is with him. However, when God gives no answer he seeks another to answer for him. He turns to the people and seeks out the sin which is keeping God from answering. Verse 38 covers this conversation. Saul fails to recognize that the sin is his and no one else’s. His zeal for more blinds him to the fact that the sin is his. Do you see this mirror applied to you? Where do you want more but need only what you have?

Saul swears on his son Jonathan for an answer from God. Saul swears again and that is something the Old Law forbids. The sins of Saul continue to pile up. The priest takes Jonathan and Saul from the people and Saul continues to beg for an answer. From there Jonathan was taken up after the lots were cast by the priests. It seems as though they will kill him. Jonathan admits he ate of the honey to his father. “And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for you shall surely die, Jonathan.” - Verse 44. There is no greater representation of the flesh versus the spirit in Saul versus Jonathan. The flesh wants to have control and the spirit and even to kill it. We are to toss aside the desires of the flesh and magnify the influence of the spirit. The priests should have given Saul the exact opposite but they were ignorant as well. The people recognized that the Lord was with Jonathan and saved his life from Saul’s punishment. In verse 45 the people say “God forbid”. The people see what Saul could not. He was blinded by the flesh and could not see the spirit. Are your eyes open to the spirit or are you like Saul?

Saul waged war and was victorious against many of the enemies of Israel. God had blessed these attempts to make Israel whole again and to convince Saul to turn His way. We will see what happens with Saul. Will he walk with the flesh or join the new walk with the spirit? I will follow the spirit and put my faith in Jesus Christ and the Cross. We all are capable of this walk, but the question is, will you take the first steps?