a. It happened one day: At the beginning, there was nothing in this day to indicate it would be remarkable. But on this day, God would win a great victory through the bold trust of Jonathan.
b. Said to the young man who bore his armor: Every “officer” in the Israelite army had an “assistant” known as an armor bearer. The armor bearer helped the officer in battle and in the administration of the army. They often carried the armor and weapons of the officer, so they were known as armor bearers.
i. “Armor-bearers in ancient times had to be unusually brave and loyal, since the lives of their masters often depended on them.” (Youngblood)
c. Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison: The Israelites were in a military conflict where victory seemed impossible. They were vastly outnumbered and greatly surpassed in military technology. Yet Jonathan was bold enough to go over to the Philistines’ garrison just to see what the LORD might do.
i. Maybe Jonathan remembered Shamgar and how Judges 3:31 described Shamgar’s victory over 600 Philistines with a sharp stick. Jonathan perhaps thought, “Well, if God could do it through Shamgar, He could do it through me.”
ii. Jonathan could strengthen himself in promises such as Leviticus 26:8: Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you.
d. He did not tell his father: Perhaps this was just an oversight, or something easily and properly explained. Or, it may be that Jonathan deliberately did not tell his father, because he believed his father would have simply said “no.”
e. Saul was sitting: This was a big contrast to Jonathan. The bold, brave, king was simply sitting…under a pomegranate tree while his son boldly went over to the Philistines’ garrison. Saul and the priest with the ephod sat back while Jonathan bravely trusted God.
f. Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother: The mention of Ichabod seems almost unnecessary. Why would we need to know that the priest with Saul, Ahijah, was the nephew of Ichabod? Probably, God wants us to associate the meaning of Ichabod’s name with Saul’s spiritual condition. Saul’s royal glory was almost gone, and it was appropriate that he associated with a relative of the man named “The Glory Has Departed.”
g. The people did not know that Jonathan was gone: This indicates that Jonathan did not go over to the Philistines’ garrison out of a desire for personal glory. If that were his motive, he would have told at least a few people that he went.
(Guzik)
“God is ever on the outlook for believing souls, who will receive His power and grace on the one hand, and transmit them on the other. He chooses them, that by them He should make His mighty power known.” (Meyer)
Outlook for Believing Souls
Meyer’s commentary is full of biblical truth, He uses the weak, which He gives power and grace on the one hand, and to transmit them on the other!
My wife and I lead a Life Recovery Bible Group at our church, a 12 step program for people with hurts, hang ups and habits.
It’s amazing to see God break the chains of addiction with His power and grace on the one hand and to transmit them on the other!
We all have a story of mercy and grace and when we share it, the Lord uses us to transmit them to others that need His power and grace!
Have you been sharing yours?
Blessings
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