One Brave Step: How Jonathan’s Faith Led to a Big Victory (1 Samuel 14:1-23)
Sometimes, it only takes one brave step of faith to change everything. In 1 Samuel 14:1–23, we see how Jonathan—King Saul’s son—trusted God and took a bold risk that led to a surprising victory for Israel.
Israel in Trouble
The Israelites were in a tough spot. They were at war with the Philistines, a powerful enemy. The Philistine army had many soldiers, better weapons, and the upper hand. The Israelites were scared. Some were hiding in caves and bushes. Others had run away. King Saul and his men were camped out, unsure of what to do next.
Jonathan’s Bold Idea
While everyone else was afraid, Jonathan had a different attitude. He turned to his young armor-bearer (the person who carried his weapons) and said something bold:
“Let’s go over to the Philistine outpost. Maybe the Lord will help us. Nothing can stop the Lord—whether He saves by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6)
Jonathan didn’t have a full army. He didn’t have a clear plan. But he trusted God. He believed that God could win the battle, even if it was just two of them—him and his armor-bearer—against a whole group of enemies.
A Sign and a Surprise Attack
Jonathan asked God for a sign: if the Philistines told them to come up to fight, that would be the signal that God was giving them victory. Sure enough, when they approached, the Philistines said, “Come up here and we’ll teach you a lesson!”
That was all Jonathan needed. He climbed up, with his armor-bearer right behind him, and attacked the Philistines. The two of them defeated about twenty men in just a short time!
Then something incredible happened: panic spread through the Philistine camp. God sent an earthquake, and the enemy soldiers became confused and terrified. They started attacking each other and running away.
Israel Rises Up
Back in Saul’s camp, the Israelites saw the enemy in chaos. They realized something was happening. Saul and his men rushed into battle, and even the Israelites who had been hiding came out to fight.
God gave Israel a great victory that day—all because Jonathan dared to trust Him.
What Can We Learn from This Story?
- Faith Doesn’t Wait for Perfect Conditions
Jonathan didn’t wait for the odds to be in his favor. He moved forward in faith, trusting God to do the rest. - God Can Use a Few to Do Big Things
Jonathan said, “Nothing can stop the Lord by many or by few.” It’s a good reminder that God doesn’t need a crowd—He just needs willing hearts. - Courage Is Contagious
Jonathan’s bravery inspired others. When one person steps out in faith, others often follow. - God Fights for His People
God used an earthquake and confusion to defeat the enemy. He’s not limited by our resources—His power is greater than any obstacle.
Final Thought:
Jonathan didn’t have everything figured out. But he had faith, and he was willing to take a risk for the right reason. That small step of courage led to a huge victory.
You may not feel strong or ready—but if God is with you, that’s more than enough.
1 Samuel 14:1-23 (WEB)
14:1 Now it happened on a day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he didn’t tell his father. 2 Saul stayed in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron; and the people who were with him were about six hundred men, 3 including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn’t know that Jonathan was gone.4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side; and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. 6 Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for there is no restraint on the LORD to save by many or by few.”7 His armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go, and behold, I am with you according to your heart.”8 Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will reveal ourselves to them. 9 If they say this to us, ‘Wait until we come to you!’ then we will stand still in our place and will not go up to them. 10 But if they say this, ‘Come up to us!’ then we will go up, for the LORD has delivered them into our hand. This shall be the sign to us.”11 Both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, “Behold, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they had hidden themselves!” 12 The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something!”Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him, and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him. 14 That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land.15 There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so there was an exceedingly great trembling. 16 The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away and scattered. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count now, and see who is missing from us.” When they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring God’s ark here.” For God’s ark was with the children of Israel at that time. 19 While Saul talked to the priest, the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand!”20 Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle; and behold, they were all striking each other with their swords in very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before and who went up with them into the camp from all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day; and the battle passed over by Beth Aven.