1 Samuel 14:1-23 Now it came to pass on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armor, Come… While the Philistines are making inroads upon Israel — sending out their different companies — and strengthening themselves in garrisons or strongholds — poor Saul remains, with his six hundred men, fearful and dispirited, under a pomegranate tree; a standing proof of what God had told Israel should befall them when they sinned against Him — their enemies the head, and they the tail. But God never will leave Himself without a little faithful remnant, be it ever so small, so despised, or so invisible. Haven't you sometimes seen a tree of which the fruit has been gathered, with just two or three left on in some part that has been overlooked, or in the very uppermost bough, where they could not well be reached? Now, God compares the very few of His people, whom He reserves, to this: "Two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof." (Isaiah 17:6). When we look at this we need to ask, with intense earnestness, "Lord, make me one of those few." Jonathan, bold as a lion, strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, says to his armour bearer, "Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his lather." No, he had learned not to confer with flesh and blood, when flesh and blood made him a coward in the cause of his God. When you see plainly what is your duty, however difficult, go forward. There will be many evil counsellors, who can talk much of the trials and difficulties, and make other hearts faint like their own: but, you recollect, the Lord does not like such soldiers; He would not let them stay in His army, for He well knew how catching fear is, and what sad work it makes in the camp of Israel. There is a Counsellor from whose lips you may ever hear, "Fear not." "Incline your ear, and come unto Him." We see the children of this world urging each other forward — overcoming endless difficulties — and accomplishing immense designs — while, too often, if God's children have any great work which they would fain do for Him, a thousand difficulties, and ten thousand fears are started, and while they are debating the enemy is gaming ground. Oh, for one such view of our precious Master as Jonathan had! Did we thus see Him all difficulties would vanish. (Helen Plumptre.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. |
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