Jonathan and His Armour-Bearer

One day Jonathan, Saul’s son, spoke to the young man who carried his armour. He said they should go across to the Philistine garrison on the other side, but he did not tell his father. Saul was staying at the edge of Gibeah with about six hundred men, and the people did not know Jonathan had gone.

To reach the garrison, Jonathan had to pass between two rocky crags, one called Bozez and the other Seneh. Jonathan said the Lord was not limited by numbers and could save by many or by few. His armour-bearer answered bravely that he was with Jonathan and ready to go.

Jonathan planned a sign. They would show themselves to the Philistines. If the Philistines told them to stay where they were, they would wait. But if they called them to come up, Jonathan would take that as a sign that the Lord had given the enemy into Israel’s hand. When they showed themselves, the Philistines called for them to come up.

Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armour-bearer after him. They struck down about twenty men in a small area. Then fear spread through the camp and the field. Even the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked, so that panic became very great.

Saul’s watchmen saw the Philistines scattering. When Saul counted his men, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were missing. As the noise in the Philistine camp grew louder, Saul and his people went into the battle. The Philistines were in great confusion, striking one another. Hebrews who had been with the Philistines turned back, and Israelites who had been hiding also joined the fight. So the Lord saved Israel that day.