Chapter T H R E E

(chapter o n e)

(chapter t w o)

Jonathan’s eyes opened wide. For the first time he was gazing out at the Philistine camp from a high branch in a tall tree.

“More then half of these soldiers have arrived within the last two days,” Zabdi, the scout, explained. “I tried to count them but I gave up three days ago. There are way too many to count. They have to be close to the hundreds of thousands now. I’ve counted about three thousand chariots.”

Jonathan tried to focus on a small group that had separated themselves from the main army. “What are they doing?”

Zabdi answered, “It’s probably another raiding group of three hundred men.”

“Another?” Jonathan repeated.

Zabdi nodded. “One group left this morning toward Ophrah. And just a few hours ago another one left toward Beth Horon.”

“Beth Horon?” Jonathan exclaimed. “Why wasn’t I told about this? The Philistines could arrive there tonight!”

Zabdi said, “The plan of the Philistines is to draw us out of our fortified area in Gilgal. Saul doesn’t want us to be distracted from our main task at hand. If we attack the main camp today, we have a chance of getting the raiding groups as well.”

“This is crazy,” Jonathan said under his breath. “What has my father done?”

“Yeah, I’m hoping that our God is as powerful as they say He is. Have we gotten any new arrivals since yesterday?”

“Uhm, we got another group from Benjamin with 147 men.”

Zabdi nodded. “That’s good. That puts us at around a thousand, right?”

Jonathan shook his head. “About a hundred men abandoned camp last night. We’re left with eight hundred and fifty soldiers.”

There was a long, awkward silence. Both of them knew that Israel was definitely the underdog and the blame was most likely on Jonathan’s father, King Saul.

Then Zabdi said, “Samuel is supposed to arrive today, isn’t he?”

“Yes he is and I better head back. If we want to stop the Philistines from raiding Beth Horon then we’ve got to attack as soon as Samuel arrives and makes the offering.”

Then Jonathan dropped down to the ground and headed back to camp.

Today was the big day. For many years now, Israel had been split in pieces ruled by different countries including Sisera, Moab, and Philistia. As big as the Philistine army was, Jonathan knew that God would keep his promise. Finally Israel could become a united nation again! The excitement in Jonathan began to build as he thought about the possibilities. All they needed was for Samuel to arrive and make the burnt offering.

On his way back he ran into a couple of Israelite soldiers. To Jonathan’s surprise they looked disgruntled. “Are you coming from camp?” Jonathan asked.

One answered, “Yes, and we suggest you do the same as us and high tail to a safer place.”

Jonathan gave them a puzzled look.

The other continued, “We have no chance to stand against those Philistines. Our numbers and weapons will never be enough even if Samuel does come. We’re going to find a safe place while the Philistines come down and cut your father to pieces.” Then they continued on their intended path.

Confusion and anger mixed in Jonathan and he stuttered, “You… you can’t do that! You can’t… Are you deliberately abandoning your country? And… what about your God? Stop cowards! Come back!”

When he realized that the men were never going to turn back around, Jonathan began to run full speed back to camp.


~~~
As Jonathan neared the camp he noticed small puffs of smoke coming from the far side. Had Samuel arrived? At camp, Jonathan was surprised to find that everyone was taking down the tents and packing up their things. Were they going to attack? Why is everyone wasting time packing up?

To answer his questions, Jonathan went straight to his father’s tent and was surprised once again to find even his father was packing.

“Father, what is going on?”

“We’re leaving.” Saul’s voice was loaded with despair.

“Where?”

“Down to Gibeah.”

“But that will draw the Philistines into the heart of Israel!”

Saul slammed his hand against the table in the center of the tent. The anger that was welling in Saul was now oozing out. “Jonathan, is it not obvious? My men are abandoning me! I made the sacrifice. And Samuel thought I did something wrong!”

“Father… you did the job of a priest? How could you?”

“I am king! Yet Samuel acts as if he never made me king and as if he is still the one and only judge.”

There was silence as if Saul had finished explaining but Jonathan still needed explanation.

“Why Gibeah?”

Saul exhaled heavily and gave Jonathan a look of warning and said, “I don’t know what to do. Samuel left me here with only 600 men left and I don’t know if I’m supposed to attack or hide. Samuel went back to Gibeah and I’m going to find him. If the Philistines destroy anything or anybody, it’s Samuel and Yahweh’s fault. I did all I could. Now go get ready to leave.”

Jonathan showed irritation. “But the Philistines are about to begin to raid the Israelite cities! They’ve sent out three raiding groups! We don’t have time for this!”

Saul threw his hands up into the air. “I know! Shut up! Leave me!”

Jonathan left his father’s tent seeing that his father’s temper was getting out of control. Against his wishes, Jonathan did what his father had told him and went to his tent to pack up. His young armor bearer, Gareb, had the job already half done.

“Thank God you’re here!” Gareb exclaimed when he saw Jonathan enter. “I thought the Philistines turned you into food for the dogs! But since you are alive, can you help me with our beds?”

Jonathan did as he was asked but his mind was elsewhere. Was there nothing that they could do? Would all Israel have to pay for the mistakes of one man? How could my father put so many people in danger?

“This isn’t right,” Jonathan said out loud.

“What isn’t right?” Gareb asked.

Jonathan hesitated. Gareb‘s home was Beth Horon--the town that was about to be attacked. Did he know his home was about to be attacked? Should he tell him? “All because of my father, the men, women, and children of Israel are left to beg for their lives at the end of the Philistine sword. Did they not tell you?”

Gareb shrugged, “Well, I figured your father knows what he is doing.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Jonathan rubbed his face. “They didn’t tell you about the raiding groups, did they?”

Gareb shook his head, puzzled.

“The Philistines sent out three raiding groups earlier today. One of them is headed toward Beth Horon.”

“My home town?”

“They left this morning and will probably arrive sometime tonight.”

Gareb was stunned. He started to say something but it got caught in his throat. “But my family!…My friends!”

Jonathan was now his normal, tough self. “Think about it Gareb. We would never make it in time.”

Gareb didn’t know what to do. He felt like crying but couldn’t because of the intense anger that was bubbling in him. Jonathan tried to think of something to comfort Gareb. But no. There was nothing that could possibly comfort him in this situation. They both suddenly felt extremely useless. Hopelessness invaded the minds of the young Hebrew soldiers and darkness clouded their thoughts. The life in them lost its fire and the life around them decayed. How could this be happening to the children of Yahweh? Was Yahweh going to allow Gareb’s friends and family suffer and possible die? Just then, Jonathan’s mind cleared.

“A whole army would never make it in time.” Jonathan stated. “But two young men might be able to at least evacuate the city… if we get there in time.”

An anxious grin suddenly burst all over Gareb’s face. “Yes! We can at least try!” Gareb grabbed Jonathan’s sword, his sling, and a small plowshare. Jonathan grabbed a small pack of meat and a few pieces of armor. Then, there was a small moment of hesitation. Were they doing the right thing? Then Jonathan said, “Let’s move before anyone stops us.”

TO BE CONTINUED…