Yesterday we looked at Saul’s rashness and willful disobedience to God, but what of his son Jonathon? It would seem Jonathon inherited some of Saul’s rashness and dislike for sitting around idle. Keeping it secret from his father, Jonathon made up his mind to cross over and climb up to the Philistine garrison. Unlike his father, Jonathon acted in faith, trusting God to work for them, 1 Samuel 14:6.
The way to the garrison was difficult but Jonathon was not fazed by the difficulties for he trusted God to help them. Jonathon acted but only so far, as he then expected the Lord to guide them about their next actions.
Jonathon needed to be sure he was acting in the Lord’s will. He did not want his rash actions to be against the Lord as his father’s was. Jonathon expected God to guide him and to confirm that he was doing right.
Do we, like Jonathon first ensure that what we are doing is God’s will and trust him to guide us when we need to make decisions?
The words of the Philistines would provide the necessary sign whether they were to continue toward the camp or not. The Philistines urged them to come up. At this point Jonathon knew the Lord would give them into his hands, verse 12. Despite the odds stacked against them Jonathon had complete confidence in God’s ability to protect them and give victory. God indeed gave the victory to Jonathon and his amour bearer. God honored Jonathan’s faith and trust.
This is the first difference we see between Saul and his son. Saul continued to show his disobedience to God’s commands, I Samuel 15 so that God chose and anointed David to replace Saul as king, I Samuel 16. It is after the anointing of David that we most notice the differences between Saul and his son Jonathon.
Saul’s heart was filled with suspicion and jealousy , hate, and murder, I Samuel 18: 6-12,15, 21, 25-29, 1 Samuel 19:1, 9—18. Jonathan was just the opposite. His heart was filled with love for his friend, 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 1 Samuel 19:2-7, 1 Samuel 20:1-42. Whereas Saul wanted to kill David, Jonathon sight only to protect him.
Jonathon went to David while he was in the wilderness and ‘encouraged him in God,’ 1 Samuel 23:16. Jonathon bore no bitterness towards David that he was going to be king. Instead he supported and encouraged him, 1 Samuel 23:17.
God works in mysterious ways, it is true. A godly son comes from a disobedient and rebellious father. There have been numerous examples of children from non Christian homes who have become faithful followers of God, devoted to Him. Similarly, there have been those raised by godly parents who have turned from God’s ways. It seems children either model their behavior on parents or deliberately choose to do the opposite,
Does this mean as parents, what we say and do, the example we set, is not important and has no influence? No it does not. Tomorrow we will look at ways that Christian parents can encourage and bring their children up in God’s ways.
Bible verses from The New American Standard Version
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