And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
1 SAMUEL 14:6KJVWhat does 1 Samuel 14:6 mean?
1 Samuel 14:6 shows Jonathan telling his armor-bearer that they should approach a Philistine outpost, expressing hope that the LORD might help them, because the LORD is not limited by numbers—He can save whether there are many people or just a few. Jonathan is confident that God’s power is not restricted by human strength or resources.
Jonathan is speaking to the young man who carries his armor, suggesting a bold plan to confront the Philistines, who are called "uncircumcised" as a way of marking them as outsiders to Israel’s covenant with God. The situation is tense: Israel is outnumbered and outmatched, but Jonathan’s words show his faith that the LORD can act regardless of the odds. This verse highlights Jonathan’s trust in God’s ability to deliver, even when human logic would say victory is impossible.
The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 14:6
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh): Jonathan specifically refers to Israel’s covenant God, emphasizing that the outcome depends on God’s will and power, not on military strength.
- "Restraint" (מַעְצֹור, maʿtsor): This word means something like limitation or hindrance. Jonathan is saying there is nothing that can hold back or limit the LORD from saving, whether the group is large or small.
- "Save" (יָשַׁע, yashaʿ): This verb means to deliver or rescue. Jonathan’s hope is not in his own ability but in God’s power to bring rescue in any circumstance.
- "Few" (מְעָט, meʿat) and "many" (רַב, rav): These words stress that numbers do not matter to God. Jonathan’s statement is a direct challenge to the usual way people think about strength and victory.
Why 1 Samuel 14:6 matters
- This verse clears up the idea that God’s help depends on human strength, reminding readers that God’s power is not limited by numbers or resources.
- Jonathan’s words set the tone for the rest of the story, showing his faith and courage, which contrast with the fear and hesitation of others in Israel at the time.
- The verse connects to a wider theme in the Bible: God often works through unlikely people or small groups to accomplish His purposes, so that the credit goes to Him rather than to human effort.