When we think about courage and bravery in the Bible, there are quite a few individuals who stand out. There are Caleb and Joshua, the two spies who held fast to God’s Word even as the rest of Israel turned their backs on it (Numbers 14:1–45). Then there is Rahab, the Canaanite woman who hid the spies in her home (Joshua 2:1–24). We also read of Zelophedad’s daughters, who came to Moses to make sure that a portion of the Promised Land would remain in their family (Numbers 27:1–23). Ruth also stands out as she made contact with Boaz (Ruth 2:1–23). And one last example is Gideon who approached the Midianites with his 300 men (Judges 7:1–25). There are many more names we could mention, ordinary men and women who simply believed God’s promises and acted accordingly. Men and women who walked by faith and not by sight.
With Jonathan and his armour-bearer, the Lord has given us another example of the such bravery. An encouraging story that ought to give us great confidence, and yet at the same time a sad story. Sad because in Jonathan we see a man who would have made a great king. Godly and courageous, he is exactly the kind of king that Israel needed, but because of his father’s sin, the kingdom will not come to him. We will never see Jonathan on the throne.
One act of faith from Jonathan has routed the Philistines and inspired all of God’s people. This is the kind of king that Israel needed. This is the kind of king that God wanted for his people. The Lord can save by many or by few.
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.