July 7, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 14 (NIV)
1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, 3among whom was Ahijah,…..Continue Reading
1 Samuel 14
I suppose we should not be surprised that God would deliver Israel even though they had no weapons coming out of chapter 13. God doesn’t need us to bring anything to the table to gain victory but also uses what we do have to bring us success. And Jonathan shows himself a better leader in this chapter, displaying courage even as He seeks God’s direction and is able to see the fault in his father’s rash decision to not let the men eat as well as killing anyone who does. Saul does show wisdom to seek God’s direction, but is rash to seek to kill Jonathan without finding out that Jonathan had not heard the command. In all Saul is impetuous and self seeking. It comes out in this chapter and will lead to his downfall. Certainly character traits we should not replicate. Far better to have the humility to seek God’s direction and live by His wisdom.
Saul shows us how destructive pride and legalism can potentially be. Saul is calling out oaths that he thinks are right and never seeks God to see if they are. Making your men weak in battle or killing an innocent man, your own son, for breaking an oath he knows nothing about are foolish but he needs to be right. Thankfully the people saw the faith and courage of Jonathan and did not allow that to happen. this legalistic approach to leadership was actually pushing the men into sin. Saul needed to be slower to respond and wait on God not rely on himself.
1 Samuel 14
1st Samuel 14
Great picture who Saul is. And great picture who Jonathan is
1 Samuel 14
1 Samuel 14