1 Samuel 14 10

1 Samuel 14:10 kjv

But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.

1 Samuel 14:10 nkjv

But if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us."

1 Samuel 14:10 niv

But if they say, 'Come up to us,' we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands."

1 Samuel 14:10 esv

But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, for the LORD has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us."

1 Samuel 14:10 nlt

But if they say, 'Come on up and fight,' then we will go up. That will be the LORD's sign that he will help us defeat them."

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 10 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:10 outlines a specific conditional sign that Jonathan proposed to his armor-bearer to ascertain God's will for their immediate attack on the Philistine garrison. If the Philistines invited them to "Come up," it would signify that the Lord had already "given them into our hand," assuring divine success and prompting Jonathan and his companion to proceed with courageous faith against overwhelming odds. It's a plea for divine confirmation before a bold act of faith, predicated on the conviction that the battle's outcome is solely in God's hands.

1 Samuel 14 10 Context

1 Samuel chapter 14 describes Jonathan's daring initiative against the Philistine garrison at Michmash during a time of great Israelite distress and Saul's seemingly paralyzed leadership. The Philistines had subjugated Israel, depriving them of weapons, leaving only Saul and Jonathan armed with swords. Fear permeated the Israelite camp, and Saul had only 600 untrained men with him at Gibeah. Impatient with Saul's inaction and burdened by the Philistine oppression, Jonathan, accompanied only by his armor-bearer, secretly ventured to attack the Philistine outpost. As an act of profound faith and seeking God's divine will, Jonathan proposes a two-part sign: if the Philistines tell them to "Wait for us," they would know not to go up; but if they said "Come up to us," it would be a clear sign of the Lord's deliverance. This verse immediately follows Jonathan proposing this sign to his armor-bearer. Historically, this period highlights the tension between a human monarchy struggling to trust God and individuals like Jonathan who maintained active faith in Yahweh's power and ability to save, even with few men. The implied polemic challenges the prevailing Philistine polytheism and their trust in sheer military might, affirming that Yahweh, the God of Israel, determines the outcome of battles.

1 Samuel 14 10 Word analysis

• And if thus (וְאִם כֹּה - wə'im kōh):
  • And if (wə'im): The Hebrew particle 'im (אִם) introduces a conditional clause. It sets up a precise scenario as a test or a signal. This highlights the careful, non-presumptuous nature of Jonathan's request for divine guidance, establishing a specific condition for action.
  • thus (kōh): This adverb emphasizes the precise and specific nature of the desired response. It underlines that Jonathan is looking for a specific verbal cue from the enemy, not a general or ambiguous one.
• they say to us, ‘Come up to us,’ (יֹאמְרוּ אֵלֵינוּ עֲלוּ אֵלֵינוּ - yō’mrû ’ēlênû ‘ălû ’ēlênû):
  • they say (yō’mrû): Refers to the Philistine soldiers. Jonathan is waiting for their verbal response to be the divine sign.
  • Come up to us (‘ălû ’ēlênû): The imperative form implies a challenge or an invitation. For the Philistines, this would be an arrogant command, confident in their superior numbers and position, daring two Israelites to face their entire garrison. For Jonathan, this seemingly boastful challenge would be the exact counter-intuitive sign from God.
• then we will come up; (וְעָלִינוּ - wə‘ālînû):
  • This is the determined action Jonathan and his armor-bearer will take once the sign is received. The immediate and affirmative response indicates readiness to obey the divine signal, signifying profound trust.
• for the Lord has given them into our hand. (כִּי נְתָנָם יְהוָה בְּיָדֵנוּ - kî nəṯānām Yahweh bəyāḏênû):
  • for (kî): A conjunction introducing the reason or basis for their confidence.
  • the Lord (Yahweh): The personal, covenantal name of God. Jonathan's confidence is rooted entirely in Yahweh's sovereign power, not in his own strength or military strategy.
  • has given them into our hand (nəṯānām ... bəyāḏênû): A common idiomatic expression in Hebrew warfare contexts, indicating a complete and decisive victory secured by divine intervention. It's a declaration of accomplished fact, expressing Jonathan's profound faith that God has already decreed the victory. This isn't wishful thinking; it's a statement of assured divine promise. It challenges any humanistic understanding of military might by asserting God's absolute control over outcomes.
• This will be a sign to us. (הוּא לָנוּ לָאוֹת - hû’-lānû lā’ôṯ):
  • sign (’ôṯ): The core term, meaning a mark, token, or signal. In biblical usage, an ’ôṯ is often a divinely appointed sign that confirms God's presence, promise, or instruction. It serves as a guarantee. This indicates Jonathan wasn't just gambling; he was seeking a clear, divinely orchestrated confirmation of God's active involvement and favor for their daring plan.

1 Samuel 14 10 Bonus section

The account of Jonathan seeking a sign in 1 Samuel 14:10 is distinctive in its directness. Unlike some instances where signs were given through prophets or Urim and Thummim, Jonathan proposes a sign to God through the Philistines' spontaneous utterance, indicating a personal and direct interaction with God's will. This contrasts sharply with Saul's later actions in this chapter, where Saul is impulsive and makes rash decisions without consulting God, like his foolish oath (1 Sam 14:24) or trying to seek an answer from God only when his human efforts fail (1 Sam 14:37). Jonathan’s reliance on divine leading and a specific sign speaks to his spiritual sensitivity and profound faith in Yahweh's omnipotence, setting him apart as a leader more aligned with God's heart than his father. It serves as a reminder that seeking divine confirmation, rooted in a pre-existing conviction of God's power and purpose, is distinct from demanding a sign to overcome unbelief or testing God presumptuously.

1 Samuel 14 10 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:10 captures a pivotal moment of courageous faith. Jonathan, displaying initiative and trust far beyond his father Saul, seeks a clear divine signal before embarking on an impossible mission. The conditional statement isn't a frivolous test of God but a deep desire for divine assurance in a desperate situation, confirming that his audacious plan aligns with God's will. His declaration, "for the Lord has given them into our hand," before the sign even occurs, underscores his conviction that success is not dependent on numbers or weaponry but on Yahweh's sovereign power and determination to deliver His people. The chosen sign itself is counter-intuitive: being challenged by the enemy signifies God's deliverance, turning human arrogance into a divine affirmation. It's a profound demonstration of spiritual discernment and bold reliance on God's active involvement in the midst of overwhelming adversity, a principle applicable today in trusting God's direction for seemingly overwhelming tasks when following His leading.