1) The Events

Jonathan wins a victory against the Philistines. The Philistines are provoked and gather their troops and Saul calls all Israel out. Meanwhile Saul's such a bad leader he thinks he has to offer a sacrifice to stop people leaving him, which annoys Yahweh the God of Israel, who says he will take the kingdom from him. After this Saul still sits around with his 600 hangers on, while his son Jonathan with an armour bearer takes on the whole Philistine army single handedly. The earth quakes and the Philistine army starts falling apart, and we learn they had Hebrews amongst them (reflecting poorly on Saul's leadership). Saul finally starts leading out his men and we learn he'd made a vow nobody should eat until victory. Jonathan, when he found this out, condemned the oath as foolish (after having already eaten some honey). Then Saul's troops are so hungry they eat with the blood forcing Saul to build an altar to do the thing properly.

Then after this Saul asks God for help and gets no answer. So he says 'whoever is causing this must die even if it be my son'. Saul takes a lot, which ends in Jonathan being selected. Jonathan confesses he ate the honey. Saul condemns his son to die. The people protest that it was only through Jonathan there was so great a victory. Saul bows to their pressure and lets his son live. Saul does not follow up attacking the Philistines, and what's left of the Philistines go home.

The whole incident from every angle is embarrassing. Saul comes out looking weak and a fool, and the whole Hebrew nation of that time, a divided mess. The only bright light is Jonathan and he was condemned to death! But this is more than a frank history. In here is the very pattern of the messy events that are part of our redemption.

Jonathan the leader

The account of the two chapters is about Jonathan. This chapter is the very first time Jonathan is mentioned in the Bible. We are told it is the second year of Saul's reign. Jonathan is given no introduction, rather he suddenly appears as a leader of a 1000 of Saul's regular army.

Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. (1Samuel 13:2)

Jonathan must have gone off with his 1000 men and attacked a garrison of the Philistines as the very next thing that is said is,

And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. (1Samuel 13:3-4)

We can see from this that what ever Jonathan had done had made the Philistines so angry their whole army was on its way out. But Saul was taking the credit and called up Israel. Saul and those he gathered, however, seemed to have baulked a bit when they saw what forces the Philistines had managed to muster, 30,000 chariots (2 men in each) 6,000 horsemen and an uncountable number of foot soldiers. In fact most took off and hid as Saul was left with only 600.

2) Saved by few

This is where we see events that are recorded for us to ponder. Jonathan takes his armour bearer and goes off without Saul's knowledge. (This confirms how Jonathan had triggered the situation Israel was in, he must have attacked the enemy without Saul's say so. Jonathan must have known the only way to get something done was to do it himself). Then we are told the priest was there with Saul. And that nobody had noticed Jonathan go.

And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, Yahweh'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. (1Samuel 14:3)

Jonathan has a good look at the whole camp of the Philistines and says something that not one of us could say, in such a situation without having confidence that God was with us and going to work.

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 Yahweh will work for us: for there is no restraint to Yahweh to save by many or by few.”

And his armourbearer said unto him, “Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.” (1Samuel 14:6-7)

Let us ponder this. These two had perhaps one weapon between them and Jonathan says with Yahweh's help they can take on a well armed force of well over 100,000. The utter faith and confidence!

Note Jonathan says “It may be that Yahweh will work for us”. And note he says Yahweh saves “by few”.

The faith of the armour bearer is immense also. He doesn't say, 'look how many there are', he says blithely in effect, “Do what you think best, I'm with you all the way”.

Jonathan must have known about Gideon's fleeces as he then proposes a test. They would show themselves, a rather brave thing to do in any case, and they asked for a sign,

But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for Yahweh has delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. (1Samuel 14:10)

Jonathan was pro-active knowing the mind of Yahweh. He knew that Yahweh would be with him. All he asked was whether he should attack at that time or hold off. And this makes us think. Jonathan had no confidence whatsoever in his father Saul, rather he had total trust in Yahweh. Also Jonathan knew Saul was not the deliverer, instead he knew Yahweh was the deliverer, and that he may not deliver through Saul's larger forces but through “few” (being two with one weapon).

The comment that Yahweh saves by 'few' shows Jonathan knew Yahweh. In addition this comment was so worthy of being reinforced that Yahweh delighted in it. He gave Jonathan the sign he asked and gave them strength, sent a spirit of fear and an earthquake.

And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for Yahweh has delivered them into the hand of Israel. And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. (1Samuel 14:12-13)

And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, as a yoke might plow. And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. (1Samuel 14:14-15)

Jonathan in killing 20 pushed back the forces over half and acre, the kind of advance in WW1 that cost thousands of lives. That advance and the earthquake changed the dynamics. The victory was Yahweh's through Jonathan, already at that point in the action.

3) The saviour and the Messiah

The parallel is that Messiah will gain the victory over the 'uncircumcised' oppressor, those without the Law who opposed Yahweh. Yeshua (Jesus) just like Jonathan knew that Yahweh would save by few (one) and that he himself was the means of salvation, but not the power of salvation.

The next events show a parallel. Saul the king, the representative of the priesthood and the six hundred see the events. Six hundred is the number of man. In this company of 'man' we see a powerless king and priesthood. They look the real thing, as Saul appeared the king of God's Kingdom at that time. But Yahweh is not with them. They ask direction of God but are given no answer. They try to become involved.

But it turns out others who are with the Philistines and those who went into hiding are to lead the victory rout instead.

Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. (1Samuel 14:21-22)

Whatever were Hebrews doing with the Philistines? It could only be because Saul had not shown real leadership and so his people had drifted. In any case Jonathan's actions were so decisive they could see who had the power of Yahweh with them. And they 'turned' or repented to follow the Israelites.

Note that it is clear that day that Saul and his select band of 600 did not save the people,

So Yahweh saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven (Heb: House of Vanity). (1Samuel 14:23)

In fact it turns out not only was Saul not leading to victory he was hindering the effort by imposing a foolish law.,

And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. (1Samuel 14:24-26)

The burden of the law

Just like Saul in the time of Yeshua the Jewish rulers had imposed on the people many burdens, none of which helped in the matter of salvation.

But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. (1Samuel 14:27)

Jonathan ate honeycomb (likened to the sweetness of the law and was enlightened)

The statutes of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of Yahweh are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:8-10)

But the people rebuked Jonathan, just as they rebuked Yeshua, for breaking man's laws.

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eats any food this day. And the people were faint. Then said Jonathan, My father has troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? (1Samuel 14:28-30)

Jonathan could see the truth and like Yeshua he could see how the foolish man-made laws troubled the people. In fact Saul was to further trouble the people.

And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seems good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. (1Samuel 14:36-37)

We can note that Saul whose name means ('asked') looked like the servant of Yahweh, he offered sacrifices, but he had no power and Yahweh did not answer him. Saul had told Samuel as an excuse “I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering”, So in keeping the ritual Saul broke the commandments of Yahweh, just like the lawyers of Yeshua's day. Samuel (whose name means 'heard of God') had told Saul that

You have done foolishly: you have not kept the commandment of Yahweh thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would Yahweh have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: Yahweh has sought him a man after his own heart, and Yahwe has commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which Yahweh commanded thee. (1Samuel 13:12-14)

So Saul looked like the servant but he was rejected from ruling Yahweh's people. In just such as a way the leaders of Yeshua's day were rejected,

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. (Luke 20:16)

Saul therefore had no power to give victory over the forces of the uncircumcised. It had been taken from him. Jonathan had been the real captain that day, because Saul had not been a man “after Yahweh's heart”.

4) The one through whom comes salvation is to die

We can note that Saul proposed to fight in the dark. He said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night”. Night is associated with lack of knowledge. He is like the leaders of the Jews in Yeshua's day who fought Rome's influences without knowledge of the light. Saul is so lacking in knowledge he thinks if he does not hear from his God it is due to someone else's sin.

And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin has been this day. (1Samuel 14:38)

Saul picks on the chief of the people. He's looking for a leader to convict of sin to justify the fact Yahweh no longer spoke to him (even though Saul must have known Samuel had meant what he had said). Saul calls on Yahweh and said publicly,

For, as Yahweh lives, which saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. (1Samuel 14:39)

This can be paralleled with what the chief priest did in Yeshua's day. Just like Saul, they were sure they were right in killing Yeshua.

Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. (John 18:13-14)

We note next that Saul cast lots before Yahweh,

Therefore Saul said unto Yahweh God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. (1Samuel 14:41-42)

Jonathan was chosen by no less than Yahweh in this case to die. This should give us pause. Saul's interpretation of Yahweh's law had condemned Jonathan to die. But Yahweh himself selected Jonathan to die. In addition Jonathan recognised Saul's oath, and submitted to the ruling.

Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. (1Samuel 14:43)

Jonathan did not protest, rather he admitted the fault and said 'lo I must die'. There is no record he argued more than this. We can see the parallel, just as Jonathan ate of the honey, Yeshua 'ate' of the law of liberty and freed people and enlightened them. Due to this he was condemned to death. Saul calls on God just as the chief Jews did, who told Pilate

“We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God”. (John 19:7)

Saul condemns his own son, and incidentally his own saviour.

And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shall surely die, Jonathan. (1Samuel 14:44)

We can't ponder why Yahweh caused the lot to fall to Jonathan and why he accepted it, just as we can't know what would have happened if Yeshua was not obedient, or what would have happened if Judas had not betrayed Yeshua. Both were messy situations where wilful humans seemed to be in control, but we can see Yahweh was working in events. Jonathan's name means 'Yahweh's gift', and the salvation that day had been Yahweh's. Jonathan was a gift to the nation of Israel, yet he was, by the law set up by Saul, to die.

And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as Yahweh lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. (1Samuel 14:45)

Here the parallel with the redemption pattern departs a bit as Jonathan was not actually killed. He is, however, 'resurrected' by the people's knowledge of his deeds. In Yeshua's case he was resurrected by the power of Yahweh due to his obedience unto death. Jonathan, by contrast, was saved that day by his faith which allowed Yahweh to work in him.

The pattern is not exact, but we can see parallels to Yeshua's work. Jonathan 'Yahweh's gift' or 'grace', is the captain bringing salvation. Saul was like the leaders of Israel, who had failed to know Yahweh's heart, and could not point the way to salvation. Just as Saul in misunderstanding the service to Yahweh, had condemned Jonathan, in the same way the rejected leaders of Israel had condemned Yeshua to die, as he broke their 'law'. And in all of the events Yahweh Elohim knew and caused it to be written for our salvation.

Victory won, but the foe not yet vanquished

This is not quite the end to the parallel. After the figurative 'resurrection' of Jonathan, Saul gives up the idea of fighting the Philistines, as it was not his battle.

Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place. (1Samuel 14:46)

This parallels how after Yeshua's resurrection the system of priesthood in Judea had no longer any authority, as the sacrifices that they made that had been fulfilled by the one that was to take away sins.

But yet the Philistines had been put in their place. The victory was won, but the foe not yet vanquished. The existence of such as the uncircumcised Philistines who have no wish to serve Yahweh will not end until the end,

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1Corinthians 15:24-26)

for more The Redeemer in the Book of Ruth

The pattern of The Carpenter

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