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The Beginning of the End
them know how to proceed. Going down into the gorge separating
the two armies, they silently threaded their way under the cliff,
partially hidden by the ridges of the valley. Approaching the fortress
they came in sight of their enemies, who taunted them: “Look, the
Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden. ...
Come up to us, and we will show you something,” meaning that they
would punish the two Israelites for their daring. This challenge was
the sign that Jonathan and his companion had agreed to accept as
evidence that the Lord would bless their efforts.
Choosing a secret and difficult path, the warriors made their way
to a cliff that had been thought out of reach and was not strongly
guarded. Thus they penetrated the enemy’s camp and killed the
sentinels, who, overcome with surprise and fear, did not resist.
Angels of heaven shielded Jonathan and his attendant; angels
fought by their side, and the Philistines fell before them. The earth
trembled as though a great multitude with cavalry and chariots were
approaching. Jonathan recognized the signs of divine aid, and even
the Philistines knew that God was working for the deliverance of
Israel. Great fear seized the army and in the confusion the Philistines
began to kill one another.
Soon the noise of the battle reached the camp of Israel. The
king’s sentinels reported great confusion among the Philistines and
that their numbers were decreasing. Seeing that the Philistines were
being driven back, Saul led his army to join the assault. The Hebrews
who had deserted to the enemy now turned against them. Great
numbers also came out of their hiding places. As the Philistines fled,
Saul’s army inflicted terrible destruction on the fugitives.
Saul Is Foolish Again
Determined to make the most of his advantage, the king rashly
forbade his soldiers to partake of food for the entire day. “Cursed
is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken
vengeance on my enemies.” The victory had already been gained
without Saul’s knowledge or cooperation, but he hoped to distinguish
himself by the complete destruction of the defeated army. The
command to refrain from food showed that the king was indifferent
to the needs of his people when these conflicted with his desire to