Faith Over Fear (1 Samuel 13:15b-14:23) - 2/1/26

INTRO

• Saul has already failed the obedience test at Gilgal (13:1–15a).

• Israel is now outmatched, under-resourced, and pressured by the Philistines.

• The text contrasts fear-driven leadership with faith-filled action—and highlights the LORD as the true Deliverer.

• FAITH IS THE VICTORY
  

The Enemy Is Real, and the Situation Is Dire (13:15b–23)

• Israel is small and powerless (13:15b–16; 19-22)

• Philistines are many and powerful (13:17–18, 23)
  

Faith Is the Key (14:1–14)

• Jonathan’s conviction (14:1–3)

• Jonathan’s confidence (14:6)

• Jonathan’s dependence (14:8–14)
  

The LORD Wins the Battle (14:15–23)

• The enemy falls (14:15-19)

• Faith is restored (14:20–22)

• The Lord saves His people (14:23)
  

THE GO AND DO

• When pressure mounts, choose faith over fear. identify the “pressure point” and take the next obedient step. DO THE NEXT THING RIGHT

• Trust your never-failing King. Saul failed, but Jesus reigns perfectly; bring your weakness to Him and follow His Word.

• Go fight by faith. Llke Jonathan, act in humble dependence and pursue spiritual victories through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.
  

The following resources are ones I regularly use in my own study and sermon preparation, and they may also be helpful for others who want to read, study, and grow deeper in God’s Word.

• 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart (Focus on the Bible) — Dale Ralph Davis (Christian Focus)

• 1, 2 Samuel (New American Commentary, Vol. 7) — Robert D. Bergen (B&H Publishing)

• The MacArthur Bible Commentary — John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson)

• ESV Expository Commentary: 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles (Vol. 3) — Edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar (Crossway)

• The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. 3) — Edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland (Zondervan)