1Sa 14:18 | KingComments | STEP | Saul assumes the possibility that men have left his army and that they have done something with the Philistines. He has an investigation carried out to know who and how many are gone. It turns out to be only Jonathan and his armor bearer. For Saul, however, this cannot be the reason for the commotion among the Philistines. He does not think further because there is no faith in him. Saul can also be a pious man, he can question God, although he has no faith. To question God, he wants the ark to be brought. “Ark” ( ) presumably must be ephod. With the ark one cannot question God. It is more likely that Saul will have asked Ahijah to clothe himself with the ephod and to ask God. When Saul notices how the Philistines are becoming more and more chaotic, he says that Ahijah should not do anything more. He decides that no more time should be lost in questioning God. Action is needed. You should not spend any effort and time on religion if you see that the situation is, in your opinion, ripe to act. This is Saul. When Saul arrives at the battlefield, he does not have to do anything. God has worked for him and thus gives the enemy into Saul’s hands. He does so because of Jonathan’s faith (cf. ; ). Another consequence of Jonathan’s victory is that Israelites who have put themselves in the service of the enemy – and who are also called “Hebrews” by the Holy Spirit here – return to the army of Saul and Jonathan. Traitors and cowards now choose the side of God’s people because they see that there the victory is. Such people only want to benefit, but never take part in the real battle. Faith initiatives are taken by only a few. If it then becomes apparent how much this is blessed, others also join in who have first observed the development and have no part in this faith. Great revivals have always started with a few.

‏ 1 Samuel 14:18

Saul Shares in the Victory

Saul assumes the possibility that men have left his army and that they have done something with the Philistines. He has an investigation carried out to know who and how many are gone. It turns out to be only Jonathan and his armor bearer. For Saul, however, this cannot be the reason for the commotion among the Philistines. He does not think further because there is no faith in him.

Saul can also be a pious man, he can question God, although he has no faith. To question God, he wants the ark to be brought. “Ark” (1Sam 14:18) presumably must be ephod. With the ark one cannot question God. It is more likely that Saul will have asked Ahijah to clothe himself with the ephod and to ask God.

When Saul notices how the Philistines are becoming more and more chaotic, he says that Ahijah should not do anything more. He decides that no more time should be lost in questioning God. Action is needed. You should not spend any effort and time on religion if you see that the situation is, in your opinion, ripe to act. This is Saul.

When Saul arrives at the battlefield, he does not have to do anything. God has worked for him and thus gives the enemy into Saul’s hands. He does so because of Jonathan’s faith (cf. 2Chr 20:22; Jdg 7:22).

Another consequence of Jonathan’s victory is that Israelites who have put themselves in the service of the enemy – and who are also called “Hebrews” by the Holy Spirit here – return to the army of Saul and Jonathan. Traitors and cowards now choose the side of God’s people because they see that there the victory is. Such people only want to benefit, but never take part in the real battle.

Faith initiatives are taken by only a few. If it then becomes apparent how much this is blessed, others also join in who have first observed the development and have no part in this faith. Great revivals have always started with a few.