1 Samuel 14 9

1 Samuel 14:9 kjv

If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.

1 Samuel 14:9 nkjv

If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them.

1 Samuel 14:9 niv

If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come to you,' we will stay where we are and not go up to them.

1 Samuel 14:9 esv

If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them.

1 Samuel 14:9 nlt

If they say to us, 'Stay where you are or we'll kill you,' then we will stop and not go up to them.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 9 Meaning

In this verse, Jonathan outlines the first possible response he and his armor-bearer anticipate from the Philistine garrison, which will serve as a sign from the Lord. If the Philistines instruct them to "Wait until we come to you," it is to be interpreted as a divine indication that Jonathan and his armor-bearer should hold their position and not ascend to engage the enemy. This signifies that the Lord would not be delivering the Philistines into their hands through an immediate, aggressive ascent.

1 Samuel 14 9 Context

Jonathan, accompanied only by his armor-bearer, has determined to initiate an attack against a Philistine outpost. This action stands in stark contrast to his father, King Saul, who is tarrying idly with his troops under a pomegranate tree (1 Sam 14:2). Israel is in a dire military situation, heavily oppressed by the Philistines and disarmed by them. Jonathan's decision to act springs from his faith that "nothing hinders the LORD from saving by many or by few" (1 Sam 14:6). Before launching into this highly perilous undertaking, Jonathan proposes a sign to his armor-bearer. This sign, divided into two potential Philistine responses (v. 9 and v. 10), is designed to discern the Lord's will and ascertain whether God intends to give them victory. This particular verse presents the first of these two conditional scenarios, determining a posture of defensive waiting if God does not give the immediate go-ahead for an aggressive advance.

1 Samuel 14 9 Word analysis

• If: Introduces a conditional statement, establishing a test for divine guidance. This sets up a "what if" scenario essential for discerning God's will.

• they say: Refers to the Philistine garrison. Their verbal response is the chosen medium for the divine sign. The communication from the enemy becomes a signal from God.

• to us: Indicates the specific recipients of the Philistines' words, highlighting Jonathan and his armor-bearer as the subjects of this test.

• 'Wait: From the Hebrew root חָרַשׁ (charash), meaning "to be silent," "to be still," "to be deaf." Here, it signifies a command to remain inactive or halted, to cease advancing. The imperative conveys the enemy's perceived dominance and desire for them to submit to Philistine initiative.

• until we come to you,': Specifies the condition under which they are to wait. The Philistines, full of overconfidence, expect to take the offensive on their own terms, descending upon Jonathan and his armor-bearer. This part of the phrase demonstrates the Philistines' underestimation of the two Israelites.

• then: Introduces the consequence or the planned action contingent on the fulfilled condition.

• we will stand still: Hebrew נַעֲמֹד (na'amod), from עָמַד ('amad), "to stand," "remain," "take a stand." This implies a stationary, defensive, or non-aggressive posture. It signifies compliance with the negative sign—the absence of a clear go-ahead from God for a frontal assault.

• in our place: Emphasizes the fixed position. They are to hold their ground without advancing or retreating, literally remaining where they are. This indicates an adherence to the instruction from the Philistines, showing Jonathan would not have interpreted this as a divine green light.

• and not go up to them. The concluding and crucial part of the consequence. "Go up" (Hebrew עָלָה, 'alah) usually implies ascending to a higher place, often used for attacking a fortified city or camp situated on elevated ground. By not going up, Jonathan expresses a specific refusal to initiate the assault under this condition. This negative action would indicate God was not empowering them for an aggressive charge at that moment.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,'": This entire phrase functions as the proposed first sign Jonathan establishes. It indicates a scenario where the Philistines feel superior and expect to control the engagement by coming down to them. Jonathan interprets this potential Philistine arrogance as a signal that the Lord does not intend for him to aggressively "go up."
  • "then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them": This phrase defines Jonathan's predetermined response to the first sign. It signifies a posture of caution, non-aggression, and obedience to a perceived divine "hold" signal. It stands in contrast to the alternative sign and response outlined in the next verse (1 Sam 14:10). This methodology shows Jonathan's commitment to seeking divine confirmation before taking action, even when driven by strong faith. It's about discerning the Lord's timing and method, not just His power.

1 Samuel 14 9 Bonus section

• This system of signs established by Jonathan showcases a specific way individuals in the Old Testament sought God's specific will for specific actions, particularly in moments of high risk. It is a testament to Jonathan's deep personal faith and walk with God, even within a largely backslidden Israel under Saul.
• The setup of two opposing signs (1 Sam 14:9-10) is crucial. Jonathan pre-determines two distinct Philistine responses and precisely how he will interpret each as God's guidance. This foresight and precise methodology distinguish his action from a mere gamble or presumption.
• Jonathan's humility is implied here; he is prepared to not go forward if God indicates otherwise. His desire for victory is subordinate to his desire for divine direction.

1 Samuel 14 9 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:9 highlights Jonathan's deep reliance on the Lord for military guidance, a stark contrast to his father Saul's less faith-filled approaches. Faced with overwhelming odds, Jonathan doesn't just act impulsively on faith; he seeks a clear sign, akin to Gideon's fleece (Jdg 6), to confirm the Lord's will for how and when to engage the Philistines. This specific sign dictates a defensive, stationary posture if the Philistines indicate their intention to initiate the attack. This choice is significant; it is not a direct "yes" from God but rather a "wait" or "no go" for immediate offensive action, signifying that God is not directing an aggressive ascent. Jonathan demonstrates true spiritual discernment by letting even the words of his enemy, in this particular divine context, dictate his obedient response. It underscores that true courage isn't recklessness but a confident, discerning reliance on God's leading, understanding that God saves both when men charge forward and when they are commanded to stand still.