Study 18: 1 Samuel 14: 15-23: Trent Evans
- Trent Evans
- Jul 26
- 7 min read
This sermon explores 1 Samuel 14 with a focus on faithful obedience to God's leading, contrasting Jonathan's bold, God-centered action with Saul's hesitant and sight-driven leadership. As Jonathan and his young armor bearer step forward in faith—despite overwhelming odds and without waiting for ideal circumstances—God delivers a powerful victory, sending panic through enemy ranks far beyond human visibility. The sermon emphasizes that spiritual victories are initiated through trust and action rooted in God's Word, not through manipulation or convenience. It calls listeners to personal faith that moves beyond emotion or intellect, urging believers to respond when God calls, even when alone, outnumbered, or unsure because God often works in unseen ways through the faithful to bring redemption to many. This episode is an invitation to study Scripture deeply, act courageously, and trust God’s unseen hand.
Sermon Outline
Chapter 1: Introduction & Testimony of God’s Faithfulness
⏱️ 00:01–02:57
Testimony of healing: Peggy declared cancer-free
A reminder that faith is not manipulation—God is trustworthy regardless of outcomes
Key Principle: Trust in God even when the outcome is unknown
Cross-reference: Proverbs 3:5–6
Chapter 2: The Power of Scripture-Centered Preaching
⏱️ 02:57–04:29
Emphasis on verse-by-verse teaching
Desire for listeners to leave with greater understanding of Scripture and of God
Key Principle: Studying Scripture deepens relationship with God
Cross-reference: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Chapter 3: The Courage of Jonathan – A Faith-Initiated Battle
⏱️ 05:25–08:58
Jonathan acts without Saul’s knowledge (1 Samuel 14:1–6)
Only two swords in Israel (Jonathan and Saul)
Jonathan chooses to act in faith, despite poor odds
Key Principle: Faith is not the absence of risk, but obedience in uncertainty
Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:1–6
Chapter 4: Slippery and Thorny Paths – Following God Through Difficulty
⏱️ 08:04–09:57
Bozez = slippery, Seneh = thorny
God may lead us through uncomfortable terrain to accomplish His purposes
Key Principle: Discomfort doesn’t mean God isn’t leading
Cross-reference: Matthew 7:13–14
Chapter 5: Active Faith – Acting on Revelation
⏱️ 09:57–12:34
Jonathan waits for confirmation from God (enemy’s invitation)
He acts decisively once the sign is given
Faith must move from belief to action
Scripture: James 2:17; 1 Samuel 14:8–14
Chapter 6: God's Response – Panic Sent by the Lord
⏱️ 14:41–17:43
God’s intervention causes widespread panic in Philistine ranks
Even distant enemies (raiding parties) are affected
Key Principle: God works beyond what we can see
Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:15; Ephesians 3:20
Chapter 7: Saul's Delay and Misplaced Focus
⏱️ 18:47–21:39
Saul is more concerned about who gets credit than engaging the enemy
Attempts to bring the ark like a good-luck charm (bad precedent: 1 Sam 4)
Key Principle: Faith is not superstition—obedience matters
Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:16–19; 1 Samuel 4:3–11
Chapter 8: Urim and Thummim – Seeking God’s Will
⏱️ 25:28–28:45
Teaching on the priest’s ephod and the use of Urim & Thummim
God had given Israel a method to discern His will, but Saul bypasses it
Key Principle: We should seek God’s direction, not just observe outcomes
Cross-reference: Exodus 28:30
Chapter 9: Faith by Sight – Saul’s Missed Opportunity
⏱️ 29:45–32:19
Saul moves when the outcome looks favorable—acting by sight, not faith
Personal reflection on times when God asked for faith before evidence
Key Principle: Walking by faith requires acting before the evidence
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7
Chapter 10: Redemption through the Faith of a Few
⏱️ 34:26–41:00
Faithless men, betrayers, and deserters all benefit from the faith of two
Jonathan and his armor bearer’s obedience redeems many
Key Principle: God can use your obedience to redeem others
Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:20–23; Matthew 5:16
Final Encouragement
⏱️ 41:00–43:59
Challenge to not miss your moment to respond in faith
Warning against cowardice, hiding, or betrayal under pressure
Call to Action: Study, act, and trust that God still saves "on that day" (v. 23)
Scripture References
1 Samuel 14:1–6
⏱️ 05:25–08:58
Jonathan decides to go alone with his young armor bearer to the Philistine outpost. Trent uses this passage to show Jonathan’s faith-driven initiative and the dire circumstances Israel faced (only two swords in the army).
👉 Used to highlight courage, initiative, and obedience without visibility.
1 Samuel 14:7–14
⏱️ 08:58–12:34
Jonathan sets a sign to determine God's will ("if they say come up..."), then acts when that sign is given.
👉 Demonstrates acting in obedience once God reveals His direction—faith must lead to action.
James 2:17 (Implied)
⏱️ 12:34–13:25
“Faith must marry hands and feet.” Although not directly quoted, the teaching reflects James’ message that faith without works is dead.
👉 Faith is not just belief—it requires movement.
1 Samuel 14:15–16
⏱️ 14:41–17:43
God sends panic to the Philistine army, even to raiding parties far outside the battle zone.
👉 Shows God’s unseen intervention and ability to act beyond human sight.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (Implied)
⏱️ 17:43–18:47
When describing how God works on behalf of His people in unseen ways, the sermon encourages trust in the Lord, even when circumstances are not fully visible.
👉 Trusting God's ways and timing is essential.
1 Samuel 14:17–19
⏱️ 18:47–21:39
Saul hesitates and seeks to identify who initiated the battle instead of taking decisive action.
👉 Contrasts Saul’s passivity and concern with credit against Jonathan’s faithful obedience.
1 Samuel 4:3–11 (Historical Reference)
⏱️ 22:35–24:23
Saul tries to bring the Ark of the Covenant like a magic object. The preacher recalls Israel’s past mistake in 1 Samuel 4, when bringing the ark without God’s leading led to defeat.
👉 Caution against using spiritual things superstitiously rather than seeking God’s will.
Exodus 28:30
⏱️ 26:59–27:43
Explains the role of the Urim and Thummim, two stones in the priest’s ephod used to discern God’s will.
👉 Teaches how God graciously guided decisions in Old Testament priestly practice.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (Implied)
⏱️ 29:45–32:19
Saul responds when he sees the battle turning in his favor—walking by sight, not faith.
👉 Faith is responding before circumstances look favorable, not afterward.
1 Samuel 14:20–22
⏱️ 33:28–35:35
Philistines are in total confusion; even deserters and traitors rejoin the battle.
👉 God uses the faithfulness of two men to redeem and rally a faithless nation.
Matthew 5:16
⏱️ 41:51–42:52
“Let your light shine before men…” quoted in the context of calling believers not to hide in fear but to step forward in visible faith.
👉 Encouragement for believers to shine as witnesses through obedience.
1 Samuel 14:23
⏱️ 38:13–39:37
“On that day the Lord saved Israel…” refers back to verse 1, marking how a single act of faith can lead to great deliverance.
👉 Shows how small faithful acts have large redemptive impact.
Word Study
📖 1. Word: Save
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Original Word: יָשַׁע (yasha)
Strong’s Number: H3467
Pronunciation: yaw-SHAH
Simple Definition:To deliver, rescue, or bring into safety.
Extended Definition:Yasha is a verb that signifies divine rescue, often from enemies or calamity. It is used throughout the Old Testament for both military and spiritual salvation. Theologically, it reveals God's nature as a deliverer. It is also the root of the name Yeshua (Jesus), meaning “Yahweh saves.”
Synonyms:
מָלַט (malat, H4422) – to escape
פָּדָה (padah, H6304) – to ransom
Antonyms:
אָבַד (avad, H6) – to perish
שָׁחַת (shachath, H7843) – to destroy
Other Key Usages in Scripture:
Psalm 34:6 – “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”
Isaiah 33:22 – “He will save us.”
1 Samuel 14:23 – “So on that day the Lord saved Israel…” ← central to the sermon
Reflection and Application:The word yasha frames the whole sermon. Israel was saved not by the might of its army but by God's sovereign act in response to the faith of Jonathan and his armor bearer. The deliverance of an entire nation hinged on obedience to God. This supports the message that salvation often begins in unseen or humble moments of faithful action.
📖 Word: Faith
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Original Word: אֱמוּנָה (emunah)
Strong’s Number: H530Pronunciation: eh-moo-NAH
Simple Definition:Firmness, fidelity, steadfast trust.
Extended Definition:More than belief, emunah signifies a consistent, enduring trust in God that results in obedience. It describes someone who remains loyal and steady under pressure, just as Jonathan did when stepping out in battle.
Synonyms:
בָּטַח (batach, H982) – to trust
חָסָה (chasah, H2620) – to take refuge
Antonyms:
סָרַר (sarar, H5637) – to rebel
כָּחַשׁ (kachash, H3584) – to be unfaithful
Other Key Usages in Scripture:
Habakkuk 2:4 – “The righteous shall live by his faith.”
Exodus 17:12 – “His hands were steady (emunah) until sunset.”
Psalm 119:30 – “I have chosen the way of faithfulness…”
Reflection and Application:Jonathan's willingness to move without guaranteed success reveals deep emunah. This type of faith is action-oriented and obedient. The sermon reminds us that real faith leads to response—it moves, climbs, risks, and trusts God to act. It also contrasts Saul’s lack of this kind of faith.
📖 Word: Redeem
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Original Word: גָּאַל (ga’al)
Strong’s Number: H1350
Pronunciation: gaw-AHL
Simple Definition:To buy back, act as a kinsman-redeemer.
Extended Definition:This term reflects the legal and relational action of reclaiming or rescuing someone, especially within family ties. Ga’al paints God as one who takes personal responsibility for the helpless and restores them. It’s deeply tied to covenant loyalty and justice.
Synonyms:
פָּדָה (padah, H6304) – to ransom
נָשַׁל (nashal, H5394) – to deliver
Antonyms:
מָכַר (makar, H4376) – to sell
שָׁבָה (shabah, H7617) – to take captive
Other Key Usages in Scripture:
Isaiah 44:22 – “I have redeemed you.”
Ruth 4:14 – “The Lord…has not left you this day without a redeemer.”
Exodus 6:6 – “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”
Reflection and Application:In the sermon, Jonathan’s obedience redeems faithless Israelites—deserters, betrayers, and cowards—bringing them back into God’s movement. This illustrates the redemptive ripple of faithful obedience. Ga’al reminds us that God uses the faith of the few to reclaim the hearts of many, even those who have failed.
Questions for Deeper Study
1.What does Jonathan’s faith reveal about the connection between obedience and courage in Scripture?
Read: 1 Samuel 14:6–14, Joshua 1:9, James 2:17
When have you felt God prompting you to act before you could see the outcome?
How can you prepare your heart to respond like Jonathan rather than delay like Saul?
2.In what ways have you seen God working beyond what you could see or control—like He did in sending panic through the Philistine army?
Read: 2 Kings 6:15–17, Isaiah 55:8–9, Ephesians 3:20
How does knowing that God works in the unseen change your perspective on current challenges?
3.Who in your life might be redeemed or restored through your faithfulness to God?
Read: 1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:16, Galatians 6:9
How can your daily obedience help draw back those who have walked away, doubted, or hidden in fear?
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