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Partial Victory Over the Philistines

1Samuel 14:1-52

 

INTRODUCTION: In this lesson, we learn from Jonathan’s faith in God and his bravery in battle. We also learn from Saul’s fearfulness and his foolishness in making an unreasonable oath.

 

  1. THE ACTION OF JONATHAN (14:1-12)

    1. In Separating From the Army (14:1-3)

      1. Jonathan’s eagerness (v.1a; cp. 13:3) – "let us go over"
      2. Jonathan’s secrecy (v.1b) – "he told not his father"
      3. Saul’s fearfulness (v.2a)
        1. In the uttermost part of Gibeah
        2. Under a pomegranate tree
      4. Saul’s army (v.2b; cp. 13:2) – 600 men
      5. Saul’s priest (v.3)
        1. Samuel was available (13:15)
        2. But Ahiah was subservient (cp. 14:18-19)

    2. In Approaching the Philistines (14:4-8)

      1. The strength of the Philistines (v.4-5)
        1. Their location
        2. Their army (13:5)
      2. The strength of Jonathan (v.6)
        1. His righteous cause
          1. Against "these uncircumcised" (see Judges 14:3)
          2. Is there not a cause? (1Samuel 17:29)
        2. The favor of the Lord – "it may be that the LORD will word for us"
        3. The power of the Lord – "there is no restraint to the LORD" (see 2Chronicles 14:11; Romans 8:31)
      3. The courage of Jonathan (v.7-8)
        1. Encourages his armor bearer (v.7)
        2. Develops a plan of action (v.8)

    3. In Seeking God’s Direction (14:9-12)

      1. His test (v.9-10; cp. Judges 6:36-40)
        1. If they say, Tarry (v.9)
        2. If they say, Come up (v.10) – this is "a sign"
      2. His answer (v.11-12)

  2. THE DEFEAT OF THE PHILISTINES (14:13-23)

    1. Under the Hand of Jonathan (14:13-15)

      1. Their climb up the cliff (v.13)
      2. Their slaughter of twenty men (v.14)
      3. The trembling in the field (v.15)
        1. The Philistines
        2. The earth

    2. In the Sight of Saul (14:16-18)

      1. The report of the watchmen (v.16)
      2. The discovery of two missing men (v.17)
      3. The call for the ark (v.18)

    3. Before Various Enemies (14:19-23)

      1. Beaten by Saul’s army (v.19-20a)
      2. Beaten by themselves (v.20b; cp. Judges 7:22)
      3. Beaten by the Israelites in the Philistine camp (v.21)
      4. Beaten by the Israelites out of hiding (v.22)
      5. Beaten by the Lord (v.23)

  3. THE FOOLISH OATH OF SAUL (14:24-35)

    1. Robbing the People of Strength (14:24)

      1. Cursed for eating food
      2. Until the evening

    2. Tempting the People Unjustly (14:25-26)

      1. Honey on the ground
      2. Which the people feared to eat

    3. Cursing His Unknowing Son (14:27-29)

      1. Jonathan eats the honey (v.27; see Proverbs 24:13)
      2. Jonathan is informed of the oath (v.28)
      3. Jonathan denounces the oath (v.29)

    4. Decreasing the Victory That Day (14:30-31)

    1. Causing the People to Sin (14:32-35)

      1. They ate animals with the blood (v.32; Leviticus 17:10-14)
      2. Saul corrects this sin (v.33-34)
      3. Saul builds an altar to the Lord (v.35)
        1. His first altar
        2. After God rejected him (13:12-14)

  4. THE DELIVERANCE OF JONATHAN (14:36-46)

    1. God’s Refusal to Answer (14:36-37)

      1. Saul’s attempt to correct his mistake (v.36a); since he failed to win victory because of his foolish oath, he sought to make up by attacking at night
      2. The priest’s suggestion to ask of God (v.36b)
      3. The Lord’s refusal to answer (v.37)

    2. Jonathan’s Condemnation by Saul (14:38-44)

      1. Saul’s rash condemnation (v.38-39)
      2. Jonathan’s perfect lot (v.40-42)
      3. Saul’s declaration of the death penalty (v.43-44)

    3. Israel’s Refusal to Obey (14:45-46)

      1. Israel’s rescue of Jonathan (v.45)
      2. Saul’s departure from the battle (v.46)

  5. THE KINGDOM OF SAUL (14:47-52)

    1. Saul’s Battles (14:47-48)

    1. Saul’s Family (14:49-51)

      1. His children (v.49)
      2. His wife (v.50a)
      3. His captain (v.50b-51)

    2. Saul’s Heritage (14:52)

      1. Continual war against the Philistines
      2. Continual seeking of new soldiers (see 1Samuel 8:11-12)

 

 

 

 

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