1 Samuel 14:1-23 | Food for Thought
1 Samuel 14:1-23
Food for Thought:
Seeing with Spiritual Eyes. This chapter picks up with the Israelites being vastly outnumbered by the Philistine army. Saul has lost his long-term claim on the kingdom, his people have fled, and they are ill-equipped. And yet Jonathan, Saul’s son, decides to go on the offensive - with only himself and his armor bearer!
What gives Jonathan any kind of confidence that the two of them can win against the Philistines? Specifically, what does he say about the Lord, themselves, and the Philistines?
How can those things matter more in the end than how many people or weapons their army has?
In order to get there, Jonathan had to expose himself to the enemy, scale two slippery, thorny crags (literally what the names of the crags meant!), and climb on his hands and knees. What does this tell us about the way it looks sometimes to live by the Spirit - even to victory?
Consider a situation in which you don’t think you have enough; you feel overwhelmed; the odds aren’t in your favor; etc. Who are you really in this situation? Who is the Lord? Who is your enemy?
What does seeing this situation with spiritual eyes change? What doesn’t it change?
Living with Spiritual Friends. The relationship between Jonathan and his armor bearer is a fun comradery to see. Together, they let the Lord use them to accomplish the unthinkable through ordinary gospel encouragement.
How was this a team effort between Jonathan and his armor bearer? How could this have gone differently in the armor bearer responded to Jonathan in some other way?
Do you have a friend (or two!) who can encourage you to take risks for Jesus and who can be there through it all? Who are they? What’s that like?
Is there a spiritual move you’re wanting to make that you need some encouragement in? What is it? How can we encourage you today - and tomorrow?
Making Spiritual Waves. In the wake of Jonathan and his armor bearers’ attack, the Lord goes to work causing confusion, earthquakes, and all sorts of things in the Israelites’ favor. This has some ripple effects on the rest of God’s people.
The Philistines are well aware of the fact that the Hebrews are busy hiding in holes. How does the terror of the Israelites change just a few verses later?
What did it take to undo their fear of the enemy and give them a greater confidence in the fear of the Lord?
Consider a time when you’ve been inspired to take action by the faithfulness of others / God’s faithfulness through others. What was it? Why was it inspiring?
Even if taking a risk for Jesus isn’t a sure win, how can it spur others to faithful action, heart change, and true worship of the Lord?
Consider the ultimate “win” that we have in the gospel. How is this the ultimate inspiration for us to believe and live boldly for the Lord?