Heroes of Israel / Text of the Hero Stories with Notes and Questions for Young Students

by Theodore Gerald Soares

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

215 (§65A). There was a strong enemy on the western coast that was the most serious trouble to Israel. It was to save themselves from these people that the Hebrews had longed for a king. Imagine how we should feel if some foreign nation should capture New York and Chicago and St. Louis and San Francisco and should compel us to give up a large part of our crops every year. We should look for a great general to lead us to turn them out. What then did Saul feel was his first duty as king? He had with him his noble son: what was his name? The first blow was struck at the town of Geba: what followed at once?

216 (§65A). Note the great force of the Philistines. What do you think they expected to do with the Hebrews? How did the Hebrews behave? We have seen before how the people would hide from their enemies. How many warriors did Saul have left? Notice that the two forces were drawn up on opposite sides of a valley. Each was on a height which it was difficult to attack. The reference to "the spoilers" means that the Philistines determined to destroy all the Hebrew country. The little army of Saul was unable to prevent the raids.

217 (§65B). Evidently some bold deed had to be done. We find that the king had a hero son. The knights in Europe used to have their squires: Jonathan had his armorbearer. Why did he not tell his father of his plan? At the battle of Santiago in the Cuban war Lieutenant Hobson wanted to do a very bold deed, but it was so dangerous that he had difficulty in getting permission. Jonathan was afraid his father would think his plan foolhardy. Study the description of the place. There was a narrow pass between two rocky crags. In order to reach the Philistines, Jonathan would have to climb the steep rock. Note that Jonathan hopes for the Lord to be with him. How does the armorbearer respond?

218 (§65B). Jonathan proposes to go into the open at the bottom of the valley and call to the Philistine sentinels, and then to decide whether to attack according to their reply. He thinks that they will make one of two replies: what were they? Tell what happened. How do you think the sudden attack of two men could have frightened the Philistines?

219 (§65C). The Hebrew sentinels on their crag suddenly saw a great disturbance on the opposite height, which the Philistines held. What did Saul do? The king intended to consult God through the priest, but the confusion in the enemy's camp grew so great that he decided to attack at once. Three causes helped to put the Philistines to flight: what were they?

220 (§66A). In the old time it was thought to be very religious to make solemn vows to God. Saul felt that the Lord was saving Israel from the oppression: what oath did he put upon the people? What did the hungry people find in the forest? How did they act? How did Jonathan act? The little food was so refreshing that he seemed to see clearly again, so it is said "his eyes were enlightened." Tell what conversation took place about the honey.

221 (§66B). In order to understand this story, we must remember that it was considered wrong to eat meat unless it had been properly killed so that the blood could run off. The blood was thought to be an offering to God. The Jews still keep up the same custom, and their meat is always specially killed. When the Philistines fled, what property did they leave behind? How did the hungry Hebrews behave? How did Saul secure an altar where the animals could be properly killed? Saul was very careful to do everything that was considered right.

222 (§66C). The king thought that the victory should be followed up, so that the Philistines could not return to trouble them. They had a custom of seeking to find out God's will about any matter through the priest, just as people do in the temples of Japan to-day. But there was some difficulty in securing an answer, so Saul felt sure that someone had broken the oath. It was a most solemn matter to him. What did he say to the leaders of the people? Tell how they found out that Jonathan was guilty.

223 (§66C). When a man was found out by the lot, he was expected to confess. What did Jonathan confess? Do you think that he had done wrong? Evidently Saul thought so, because at that time it seemed terrible to break a solemn oath. Picture the scene to yourself and see how nobly Jonathan was ready to bear the punishment.

224 (§66C). It seems to us most strange that the king should think so much of the matter as to feel that his son must die, but we must remember that it was part of their religion. It makes us very glad that we know God so much better, and that we can see that he must have been pleased with the hero who had risked his life to save his people from their enemies. Indeed we find that Jonathan's noble conduct was so clear that the people decided that the old custom must be broken. What did they say? Why did they think the Lord would not wish Jonathan to die?