Lead Like Jonathon

Intro

We’re in the third week of our leadership principles for men and we’re taking a look at Jonathan. Jonathan is the son of King Saul, the first king of the nation of Israel.  The first story we’re going to look at is at a time when Israel is at war with the Philistines.  Saul has already disobeyed the Lord and has been reprimanded by the prophet Samuel and the army is in a tough spot. They’re outnumbered and they’re ill-equipped. Jonathan is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. We’ll see he had great courage, great faith, humility, and he was a great leader. This may be the most practical lesson in the series.  We’re going to get into some very specific leadership principles that can help you lead at home, in the church, and in your workplace. 

Communicate

Jonathan over communicated, communicated clearly, and welcomed feedback.  Good leaders are always looking for opportunities to earn trust, and it’s clear Jonathan had earned trust from his armor bearer. Jonathan knew his strength came from the Lord and that God was the one who would bring victory. 

1 Samuel 14:1-14 One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.2 Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree[a] at Migron. 3 Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord who had served at Shiloh.

No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. 4 To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh. 5 The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba. 6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”8 “All right, then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the Lord’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” 12 Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!”13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.[b]

• Jonathan communicates very clearly and very specifically to his armor bearer about what his plans are.  He didn’t have to do this.  His armor bearer was essentially a servant.  No one would have reprimanded Jonathan for keeping his plans to himself.  He communicates it in a way that gave his armor bearer a chance to respond.  Jonathan has created an environment with his armor bear where he feels safe giving feedback. 
• Do you seek feedback on a regular basis for those you lead?  Have you created an environment where people are unafraid to ask questions if they don’t have clarity on what you’re asking them to do or have you created an environment where people feel like you have an “It’s my way or the highway” type of leadership style? 
• Jonathan gives very clear instructions about what he is proposing.  He isn’t quite sure of the battle plan at the beginning because he wants to be sure the Lord is behind them.  He knows that it is the Lord who is going to give victory if they engage with the enemy.  He isn’t worried about the numbers.  He knows the Lord can win a battle whether he has many warriors or few.  This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.  It’s such a great reminder to us.  We live and minister in an area that has a relatively small percentage of people who practice biblical Christianity.  If we just look at the numbers, it can be very discouraging and daunting, but God is mighty and will win the battle with many soldiers or few.  
• I love the armor bearer’s response – “Do what you think is best.  I’m with you completely – whatever you decide.”  In the translation I used as a kid he said, “Do whatever you have in mind.  I’m with you heart and soul.”  Man, that’s a leader who has led well.  That’s a leader who has earned trust during the course of the relationship.  If your wife and your children say, “Dad.  Do what you have in mind.  We’re with you heart and soul.”  Wow! What a powerful testimony that would be to your leadership.  We may not always agree.  We may not always understand, but we know you love us. We know you love God.  We know that you’re genuinely making decisions that you think are the best for us – so we’re with you.  
• The armor bearer had to obey Jonathan.  He didn’t really have a choice, but you can tell there’s much more than that going on here.  He didn’t just say yes sir.  He said, “I’m with you completely!”  I’m all in. 
• I’ve been blessed to have a handful of men in my life that I would say, “Do whatever you have in mind.  I’m with you heart and soul.  You want to climb those cliffs and fight those guys who outnumber us?  Let’s do it.  My father-in-law was a man I’d go into battle with.  The members of our Executive Team at our church – They’re not perfect.  They make mistakes like the rest of us, but these men have earned my trust.  I know they’re trying to honor God in their decision and do what’s best for the flock and I’d follow them anywhere. 
• Verses 8 and 9 – look how clearly Jonathan communicates the plan – clarity is so important.  Fight for clarity. 
• When it’s time to go, Jonathan is in front.  He’s not asking his armor bearer to go somewhere he’s not willing to go first.  I watched a documentary on this story and they were at the actual location of the battle and this cliff they had to climb just to get to the Philistines was brutal.  It was literally 4 points of contact in several places.  Then when they finally get to the top, they’ve got to fight.  And they’re some bad men – two whip twenty.   

Calculated Risk

Good leaders know the appropriate time to take a risk.  When we step out in faith for God, it can trigger great victories for the kingdom. 

1 Samuel 14:15-23 Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.

Israel Defeats the Philistines

16 Saul’s lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight—the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction.[c] 17 “Call the roll and find out who’s missing,” Saul ordered. And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone.18 Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here!” For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.[d] 19 But while Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to the priest, “Never mind; let’s get going!”[e]20 Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. There was terrible confusion everywhere. 21 Even the Hebrews who had previously gone over to the Philistine army revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites. 22 Likewise, the men of Israel who were hiding in the hill country of Ephraim joined the chase when they saw the Philistines running away. 23 So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle continued to rage even beyond Beth-aven.

• The Israelite army had been in a stalemate.  They were in a vulnerable position.  Morale was low and men were defecting to the enemy.  You get a sense that Jonathan knew it was a critical time and that it was time to take a risk, to step out in faith.  
• This first skirmish where Jonathan and his armor bearer kill twenty men becomes the catalyst for a rally and victory.  God is involved.  He creates an earthquake.  He causes panic in the camp.  The Philistines actually begin fighting one another.  The Israelites who had defected over to the enemy turned back and began fighting for Israel. 
• This was a risk, but a calculated risk.  Jonathan didn’t move forward until he was confident the Lord was with him. We’re not talking about just taking foolish risks, although sometimes God calls us to go against the world’s wisdom like we saw when we studied Joshua’s leadership a couple of weeks ago.  
• Where is God calling you to take a risk?  Do you have believers in your life you can bounce the idea off of like Jonathan did with his armor bearer?  So often, there are others who will join in if someone will just take the risk.  The men who were hiding in the hill country joined in the fight once they saw the Philistines running away.  
• Braveheart – Robert the Bruce scene – Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don’t follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they’d follow you. And so would I
• Story of young boy at our church who has been leading a small group since he was in 5th grade.  Going up to strangers at a park and asking them if they want to join his Bible study.  They decline and he just says “no problem.  If you change your mind, we’ll be right over here.”  That’s courage.  That’s a young man people are going to follow.  

Psalm 20:7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.

• It may seem like a risk, but when God is moving and has called us to step out in faith, the real risk is not doing it.  It keeps us from seeing him at work.  It robs us of that faith milestone where we get to see him do something God-sized.  

Principle over Position 

Jonathan chose principle over position.  Though he was next in line to be king of Israel, he wanted to obey God and he wanted what was best for the nation – even if that meant going against his father and putting his own life in danger.

1 Samuel 18:1-4 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

• David and Jonathan form a tight bond right from the start.  They’re both warriors.  They’ve both taken risks.  God has given them both amazing victories. 

1 Samuel 19:1-6 Saul now urged his servants and his son Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan, because of his strong affection for David, 2 told him what his father was planning. “Tomorrow morning,” he warned him, “you must find a hiding place out in the fields. 3 I’ll ask my father to go out there with me, and I’ll talk to him about you. Then I’ll tell you everything I can find out.”4 The next morning Jonathan spoke with his father about David, saying many good things about him. “The king must not sin against his servant David,” Jonathan said. “He’s never done anything to harm you. He has always helped you in any way he could. 5 Have you forgotten about the time he risked his life to kill the Philistine giant and how the Lord brought a great victory to all Israel as a result? You were certainly happy about it then. Why should you murder an innocent man like David? There is no reason for it at all!”6 So Saul listened to Jonathan and vowed, “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.”

• Jonathan stood to be the next King of Israel.  David was a threat to that position.  The people were already singing songs that Saul had slain thousands and David tens of thousands.  
• Jonathan acted as a peacemaker between David and Saul and had some momentary success.  That is a role that we’re called to as leaders – peacemakers. We should take the initiative to help relationships be reconciled.  Families, organizations, teams all function better when relationships are healthy. 
• Jonathan reprimands the king. Even though it is his father, that still carries risk.  Saul could have had him killed.  

1 Samuel 20:30-34 Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. “You stupid son of a whore!”[d] he swore at him. “Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother? 31 As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you’ll never be king. Now go and get him so I can kill him!”32 “But why should he be put to death?” Jonathan asked his father. “What has he done?” 33 Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.34 Jonathan left the table in fierce anger and refused to eat on that second day of the festival, for he was crushed by his father’s shameful behavior toward David.

• Jonathan’s loyalty and doing the right thing put him in physical danger.  It caused a tear in his relationship with his father. Jonathan was willing to do the right thing even when it came at a great personal cost.  
• When Jonathan reports to David that Saul still intends to kill him he says, “May the Lord be with you as he used to be with my father.”  Jonathan recognizes God’s plan.  He doesn’t try to fight against it even though it means he will not be king.  Great leaders put the needs of those they’re leading above their own.  

Close

Most of us aren’t going to be called to take the kind of risks Jonathan took but we will be called to take risks and step out in faith.  We need to be looking for opportunities to earn trust from those we lead.  Effectively communicating is one very practical way we can do that and not asking them to do something we aren’t willing to do is another.