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While Saul has a heart of fear and distrust, his son Jonathan relies on the power of God to save his people. Without telling his father (was it because Jonathan knew Saul would forbid it out of fear?), Jonathan and his armor-bearer cross a pass to the Philistine outpost.
Jonathan proposes a sign from God. If the Philistines see him and say, “Stay there,” they will stay, but if the Philistines say, “Come up here,” it will be a sign that God has given Jonathan the victory. The Philistines say, “Come up here,” so Jonathan does and kills twenty of them, causing panic in the whole Philistine army.
As The Lord earlier thundered against the Philistines, he now shakes the ground to frighten them. Saul and the rest of the Israelite forces finally join the pursuit and rout the Philistines. It was the Lord, however, who rescued Israel.
Next Steps
Can you remember a time recently when you took credit, even in your own heart, for something that really was done by God’s might and faithfulness to you?
Prayer
God of power, give us the strength to rely on your power, not on our own.
DR. GARY HOLLOWAY
Gary Holloway is Executive Director of the World Convention. Holding degrees from Freed-Hardeman, Harding, The University of Texas, and Emory University, he has written or edited thirty books, including (with Douglas Foster) Renewing God’s World: A Concise Global History of the Stone-Campbell Movement from ACU Press. He is married to Deb Rogers Holloway.
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