Read 1 Samuel 14 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
14:1-5 {s} Jonathan went over the the garrison of the Philistines, but did not tell his father
14:6-7 {s} Jonathan: Let us go against the garrison, for YHVH may work for us
14:8-12a {p} The sign that YHVH has delivered the garrison into their hands
14:12b-16 {p} They fell before Jonathan, and YHVH sent an earth quake, so that the Philis-tines trembled
14:17-19a {p} Saul conferred with the priest while the tumult among the Philistines grew
14:19b-24 {s} Saul and all Israel joined the battle but Saul’s rash oath
14:25-35 {p} Jonathan ate the honey, the people were faint + Saul’s altar
14:36a {s} Saul: Let us pursue the Philistines all night and not leave a man alive
14:36b-40 {s} YHVH would not answer Saul + Saul’s second rash oath
14:41-43 {s} Jonathan taken by lot and confesses to tasting the honey
14:44-45 {s} The people would not allow Jonathan to be slain
14:46-47 {p} Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and he harassed his enemies on every side
14:48-51 {s} Saul attacked the Amalekites and delivered Israel from those who plundered them/ his family
14:52 {p} Fierce war with the Philistines all Saul’s days, and he took the valiant men for himself
The Strong themes:
13:1-14:12a {sx6+p} Saul gathered Israel to war, but did not wait on YHVH/ Jonathan’s trust and confidence
14:19b-35 {s+p} Israel joined the battle, but the people faint because of Saul’s rash oath; he relented
14:36-47 {sx4+p} The people saved Jonathan from death, but Saul established his sovereignty over Israel
14:48-52 {s+p} Saul delivered Israel from the Amalekites; fierce war with the Philistines all Saul’s days
1 Samuel 14:1-23 Chiastic Structure:
We had just read that the Philistines came out against Israel with 30,000 chariots, 6000 horsemen, and foot soldiers as the number of the sand on the seashore (1 Sam 13:5). Israel became so frightened that many crossed the Jordan to the land of the 2-1/2 tribes; and many left their cities and hid themselves in caves and in the forests. Now here we have Jonathan, with just his armor bearer; two people against the multitude. But what Jonathan knew, and what gave him confidence, was that they were in covenant with YHVH, the Creator and Ruler of the universe. “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised,” might as well be saying, “Let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines who are not in covenant with YHVH, and therefore do not stand a chance against us.” What we Learn from today’s Narrative, is that one or two plus YHVH is far greater than all the multitude of the world minus YHVH.
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