This verse reveals that God often uses seemingly insurmountable barriers to display His power and provide victory for those who follow Him faithfully.
In “Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side, and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh” (v.4), we see the challenging terrain Jonathan faced in his daring plan. Jonathan, the son of King Saul (who reigned over Israel from about 1050 to 1010 BC), was seeking to gain an advantageous position against the Philistines. The setting highlights two prominent rocky outposts—called Bozez (“shining”) and Seneh (“thorny” or “acacia”)—sitting on opposite sides of a narrow path in a region believed to be near Michmash, roughly seven miles north of what would later become known as Jerusalem. This geography is noteworthy because it introduces the physical barrier Jonathan had to navigate, underscoring how faith can spur courage in the face of natural obstacles.
By emphasizing these two sharp cliffs, “there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side” (v.4), the verse illustrates how Israel’s victory over the Philistines was not merely dependent on numbers or weaponry but also on perseverance and reliance on God’s power. Jonathan’s willingness to traverse such dangerous ground foreshadows the hand of the Lord at work amid risky undertakings (2 Chronicles 20:15), pointing forward to the New Testament concept that overcoming adversity often highlights God’s grace and might (2 Corinthians 12:9). Historically, Jonathan’s faith-filled approach contributed to shifting the momentum in a difficult campaign, reminding us that God can work through anyone willing to trust Him in dangerous or uncertain conditions.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 14:4 meaning
In “Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side, and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh” (v.4), we see the challenging terrain Jonathan faced in his daring plan. Jonathan, the son of King Saul (who reigned over Israel from about 1050 to 1010 BC), was seeking to gain an advantageous position against the Philistines. The setting highlights two prominent rocky outposts—called Bozez (“shining”) and Seneh (“thorny” or “acacia”)—sitting on opposite sides of a narrow path in a region believed to be near Michmash, roughly seven miles north of what would later become known as Jerusalem. This geography is noteworthy because it introduces the physical barrier Jonathan had to navigate, underscoring how faith can spur courage in the face of natural obstacles.
By emphasizing these two sharp cliffs, “there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side” (v.4), the verse illustrates how Israel’s victory over the Philistines was not merely dependent on numbers or weaponry but also on perseverance and reliance on God’s power. Jonathan’s willingness to traverse such dangerous ground foreshadows the hand of the Lord at work amid risky undertakings (2 Chronicles 20:15), pointing forward to the New Testament concept that overcoming adversity often highlights God’s grace and might (2 Corinthians 12:9). Historically, Jonathan’s faith-filled approach contributed to shifting the momentum in a difficult campaign, reminding us that God can work through anyone willing to trust Him in dangerous or uncertain conditions.