THE KING’S BUSINESS
220
rules that man in his folly, which he sup poses to be wisdom, lays down. The great need of our day is Jonathans so eager for the battle that they are ready to go at it in any way that opens whether it is the way laid down in the books or not. “They fell before Jonathan; and his ar mour bearer slew after him.” God’s won derful promise, one of the most remarkable in His whole Word, that “One shall chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight” (Deut. 32:30; Josh. 23:10) was ful filled. They fell before Jonathan, guided by the wisdom of God and filled with the strength of God, and his armour bearer simply followed after slaying to right and left. So the enemy will fall before our Jonathan and all we have to do is to slaj “after Him.” Jehovah took further hand in the defeat of the Philistines by an earth quake (v. 15). The result was “the multi tude melted away” (v. 16). It was not the fear of Jonathan but of Jehovah that took possession of them: in the closing words of the 15th verse, we read, “There was a very great trembling,” literally translated these words would read, “There was a trembling of God.” OUTLINE He believed God would favor the venture, v. 6; Jer. 9:25-26. He believes that numbers are not essen tial with God, v. 6; 2 Chron. 14:11. His armor-bearer encourages him, v. 7; 2 Sam. 7 :3. Jonathan looks for a sign, as did Gideon, vs. 8-10; Gen. 24:13-14. Question: Was Jonathan’s venture “fool hardy” or “faith-hearty” ? Joshua 23:9, 10. What did Jonathan mean by “no re straint” with God? Ps. 115:1-3. (3) The Irresistible Assault, vs. 11-13. Jonathan and his comrade reveal them selves to the enemy, v. 11. The Philistines bid them come on, v. 12; ch. 17:43, 44. Jonathan commands an attack, v. 12; Judges 4:14.
our LORD calls us to follow Him (Matt. 16:24; John 12:26). There was but one inspiration and foundation for Jonathan’s matchless courage, “The LORD hath deliv ered them into the hand of Israel.” He re garded the battle as already won, as indeed it was. When we thus have ground for counting on the Lord’s deliverance, we need fear no foe, no matter how numerous not how strong. Jonathan humbly renounces all thought of his own glory, he does not say, “The LORD hath delivered them into our hands,” but “into the hand of Israel.” The Lord went on before and Jonathan fearlessly followed (cf. 2 Sam. 5:24). v. 13. “And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armour bearer after him." They had an utter con tempt for all difficulties; were willing to endure any hardship, and so ought tire soldier of Jesus Christ to be willing to get at the enemy in any way whether it be upon his feet or “upon his hands and feet” (2 Tim. 2:3). The trouble with too many of the soldiers of Jesus Christ today is that if they cannot fight the regular way, they won’t fight at all. But God’s ways are often very irregular ways and not according to the set LESSON (1) The Inspiration of Jonathan, vs. 1-3. Jonathan is inspired to make an assault upon the Philistines, v. 1. He does not consult with his father, v. 1; Judges 6 :7. Saul is out of fellowship with God through disobedience, v. 2; ch. 13:9. His army has dwindled to six hundred men, v. 2; ch. 13:2. Question: Why was Saul discouraged and disheartened? ch. 13:13-14. What had become of his army? ch. 13:6. Why did not Jonathan consult with his father? Judges 6:27; 14:6. How came the priest to be with Saul? ch. 13:13-15. (2) The Invasion of the Enemies’ Camp, vs. 4:10. Jonathan calls for his armor-bearer, v. 6.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker