1 Samuel 14:16

1 Samuel 14:16 says, And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.  Saul was still in Gibeah, not leading as a king should be, when the watchman saw the multitude of Philistines melting away.  Saul should have been the one leading the people of Israel into battle under God's leadership, but he was hiding away looking for his own safety.  We need Christian leaders today who go out into the world bravely to fight against evil, but too often they seem to be seeking their own safety.  Verse seventeen adds, Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.  Saul told the people there with him to number themselves to see who was missing, and they determined that it was Jonathan and his armor bearer.  Saul didn't even realize that his son was missing.  If our children are out doing God's will today, we should not only know it, but we should support their efforts as well.  Verse eighteen continues, And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.  Saul responded to this news by asking that the Ark of God be brought to him.  Saul did not consult Samuel, who was most likely nearby, to seek guidance from God, but asked for the Ark instead.  Saul was evidently still upset with Samuel, so he sought a way around seeking his guidance.  We cannot look for a way around God's will and his called leaders today just because we don't like what they may be telling us if it is God's truth.  Verse nineteen states, And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.  As Saul was conferring  with the priest, the noise of the Philistines destroying themselves grew louder, and Samuel told the priest to withdraw his hand, or to no longer seek God's guidance.  He decided he had enough evidence to make the decision on his own.  We cannot just base our actions as Christians on what we perceive to be truth without consulting God.  Verse twenty adds, And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.  The people that were with him and Saul himself went to see the battle, even though they been hiding away in fear before.   They witnessed the Philistines killing one another in confusion.  If God begins to do a great work in the world today, if we as followers of Christ have been hiding away in fear, the least we can do is come out and witness what He is doing.  Verse twenty-one continues, Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.  Some Hebrews had defected to the Philistines, and they returned to join those with Saul.  None of this had been accomplished by Saul, but was strictly God's work because of the faith and actions of Jonathan and his armor bearer.  I believe that had Jonathan not acted on his faith, none of this would have happened.  God could have done this at anytime, but He did it when Jonathan reached out to Him by faith.  God doesn't need us to accomplish His will today, but He chooses to work through us as Christians, His people, and it may be that at times what God wants done in the world doesn't happen or is delayed because we lack the faith to undertake the task.  Verse twenty-two concludes, Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.  Other people of Israel who had been hiding came out and followed hard after the Philistines when they heard the Philistines had fled.  Sometimes, those Christians who have been hiding today will also be quick to come out and try to take part when they see that God has been victorious in a particular situation, but He needs us to be more like Jonathan, who was willing to go against a much greater force as long as he knew God was with him.  Verse twenty-three declares, So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.  Saul, their new king, did not save Israel that day, but as always God did.  No new leader, no matter how powerful he may look or be, should ever be the one we put our faith in as Christians, but only God should be.