1 Samuel 14:15-23

¹⁵ Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. ¹⁶ Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. ¹⁷ Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.

¹⁸ Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.) ¹⁹ While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

²⁰ Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords. ²¹ Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. ²² When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. ²³ So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.

Homeless in Rich Neighborhood

Can you easily adjust to changes? Change of usual processes or regular activities could spark confusion or panic. For almost 10 years, a homeless couple lived on streets pushing their carts around with all their belongings and sleeping outdoors. Then suddenly, the couple found themselves living among the wealthy.

A rich homeowner opened his doors to the homeless sexagenarian couple. Residents in one of the most exclusive neighborhood turn their heads whenever the poor and black homeless couple ventured out onto the sidewalk. First call to police came a few days after they moved into a rich man’s home. Representative of the neighborhood association expressed their “concern about the situation,” and that they feared for the safety of their school kids.

Concerns and fears of safety could trigger panic to anyone, rich or poor. Do you agree that the Lord cause panic as warning or alarm of possible threat?

Jonathan and his armor-bearer attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and the Lord sent panic, and the entire Philistines army was shaken and confused.

1. Shake

¹⁵ Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. ¹⁶ Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. ¹⁷ Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer attacked, and the Philistines panicked. The ground was shaken, why? The Philistines were huge people, and they were also wearing metallic armor, and it made them even heavier. So, for multitudes of Philistine soldiers running to all directions, it may have caused a very loud noise, and the ground was shaken, similar to stampede rumble of wild horses or bison.

We can be confused, and we panic when overwhelmed by problem. Have you failed before? Did it help you assess your abilities? Trouble could shake us and cause us to be confused and panic when we know our limitations, which may restrict us to explore other possibilities. Don’t hesitate to ask and seek for help.

Math

How many students love Math subject? Advance Math isn’t every student’s favorite subject in school. A promising student hated Math because she just can’t get higher grades. She told her mother about displeasure of Math. Her parents hired a private Math tutor who helped their daughter with her Math subject.

The student surprised herself. She excelled in Math. Thanks for the help.

Not excelling in a thing could cause one to be passive. Ask God for wisdom.

When multitude of Philistine soldiers prepared for war, the Israelites hid wherever they could find refuge because they were so scared. There were only 600 Israelite men who stayed with King Saul. And, King Saul did not seek God for help. It may have made him to be passive after Prophet Samuel rebuked him.

It says in 1 Samuel 13:13-14, ¹³ “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

King Saul represents believers who become passive after rebuke. They attend another church hoping they grow spiritually. God rebukes those He loves.

In contrast, Jonathan represents Christians who don’t mind whether many or few attend, they worship God. Faith is confidence in the Lord not in number.

Anyway, the Lord sent panic among the Philistines to strike each other.

2. Strike

¹⁸ Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.) ¹⁹ While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” ²⁰ Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.

Saul observed that there was chaos on the Philistine camp. He wondered what happened, and suspected that somebody from his army may have attacked the Philistines. When he learned that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not present in the attendance, King Saul ordered Ahijah to ask God for help.

Samuel’s rebuke may have cause Saul to be reactive and very realistic.

He waited for the Philistines before making any move. He did not want to make mistake again, to be rebuked and destroy his reputation before his army.

Anyway, the Lord may have prompted him to lead his army and attacked the Philistines because his son Jonathan and his armor-bearer were in danger. So, the Lord may have used Saul’s fatherly compassion as pressure to attack the Philistines. Similarly, God may cause parents attend church because of children.

Children Ministry

You may have observed parents attend or get involved in children ministry because their children attend our children ministry? Children ministry is good approach to advance the kingdom of God in the community. If it is God’s will, pray that the Lord will expand our children ministry to the Maples community.

It says in Psalm 127:1, Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

Does this verse apply to children ministry? God can grow children ministry.

Pray that God expands our children ministry beyond our church building.

It says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, ¹ Petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

When God saves His people, it doesn’t matter whether by few or many, expert or not. When Jonathan and his armor-bearer initiated the attacked against the Philistines, the Lord made them panic and saved Israel that very day.

3. Save

²¹ Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. ²² When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. ²³ So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.

When the Philistines assembled for war, the Israelites hid. Some Israelites may have surrendered and went to the Philistine camp to save their properties and lives. But when they saw that the Philistines were confused and struck each other, they shifted back their loyalty to Israel and joined their Israelite brothers.

Is there similarity to church attendees who shift loyalty from one church to another when there’s problem? Well, it is right and proper to attend a church with biblical teaching. Pray that potential church members join us not just to satisfy their curiosity but to sincerely seek and grow in their relationship with Christ.

Apostle Paul warned in 1 Corinthians 1:10-12, ¹⁰In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ¹¹My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹² What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

The first century Christianity problem of factionalism is a spiritual warfare among churches all generations. There will always be problems of factionalism and divisions in the church, and we can only have complete unity in Christ.

Pray that more church members join us in praying that all members of this church will find their loyalty in Christ our Lord. With or without problem, when we totally trust Christ, we can’t be stricken with panic so easily, why?

When Christ is in full control of our life, His Spirit produces fruit, and we certainly experience His peace that transcends understanding. We need peace of God, why? It easier to find the solution God prepared for our problem when we are not rattled or confused. The Philistines were confused and panicked. In contrast, when we are calm and at peace, we do not panic, do we?

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