Lord Sabaoth His Name - 1 Samuel, Part 24

1 Samuel 13:15-14:23 (ESV)

After Saul’s fatal error in disobeying God, Israel still had to deal with the Philistine garrison. Raiders came against Israel from the Philistines, and Saul was now down to six hundred men.  But that wasn’t the only disadvantage that Saul faced.  In 1 Samuel 13:19 (ESV) we read:

¹⁹ Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears.”

 This formidable enemy was being faced by Israelite with plowshares, mattocks, axes and sickles.  Nevertheless, both sides prepared for battle.

The Battle of Michmash

The Philistine forces had amassed themselves at Michmash.  Their size is uncertain, but clearly Israel was outnumbered.  It appears the disheveled army of Saul’s is down to 600.  And there seemed somewhat of a stalemate as both Saul’s and Jonathan, with their forces remained at Geba.  In Chapter 14:1-15, Jonathan mounts a daring assault on the Philistines.  We read:

“And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land. And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.” (1 Samuel 14:14–15, ESV)

News of Jonathan’s daring escapade came to Saul, which encouraged him to rally the troops.  The Israelites who had been hiding entered the fray and followed the fleeing Philistines.  And then we read, “So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.” (1 Samuel 14:23, ESV).  With this final clause we realize there is more yet to learn about the outcome of the battle. 

The actions of Jonathan stand out in this story. “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side . . . “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”^[1] It was thus that the inspired author could record: “So the Lord saved Israel that day.”^[2]

We are reminded of the Song of Moses wherein he proclaimed, “How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had given them up” (Deuteronomy 32:30, ESV)?  Or as Joshua would experience later: “For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you” (Joshua 23:9–10, ESV).

The story of Caleb has a similar theme.  Many of us know the chorus: “Some saw giants, big and tall!
Some saw grapes in clusters fall, Some saw God was in it all.”[3]  At eighty-five, Caleb still confessed the same belief: “So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”” (Joshua 14:12, ESV).

The point is that “If God is for us, who can be against us?”^[4] No force can stand; no enemy can defeat; no rival can overthrow.  I am writing this on October 30^th, Reformation Day.  The great hymn of the Reformer, Martin Luther still rings true:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.	Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth[5], His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us; The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.	That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth; Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 14:1 &1 Sa 14:6). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 14:23). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[3] https://childrensbiblesongs.us/2011/09/twelve-men-went-to-spy-out-canaan/

^[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 8:31). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[5] Sabaoth is the Greek form of the Hebrew word tsebaoth "armies," and is translated in the Authorized Version of the Old Testament by "Lord of hosts," "Lord God of hosts." In the mouth and the mind of an ancient Hebrew, Jehovah-tsebaoth was the leader and commander of the armies of the nation, who "went forth with them" ( Psalms 44:9 ) and led them to certain victory over the worshippers of Baal Chemosh. Molech, Ashtaroth and other false gods.” -- https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/sabaoth-the-lord-of/