1 Samuel 14 provides a partial fulfillment of God’s statement that Saul would save his people from the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 9:16). Following their victory, the Philistine army will withdraw from the central hill country and move back to their lands in the south. They will return later to challenge Saul’s army once again (see 1 Samuel 17:1; 1 Samuel 23:1).1
The chapter as a whole serves to set up a contrast between Jonathan, who focuses on God’s promises, and Saul, who focuses on troop numbers.2 Jonathan is portrayed as someone who would have made a good king for Israel.3 Sadly his destiny is linked to that of his father, and they will eventually die together on the battlefield (1 Samuel 31:1–13).4
1 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.