Were the Israelites defenseless? 1 Samuel 13:16-23 is a passage which highlights the deficiencies of the Israelite army. While the Philistines had the upper hand, the Israelites cowered and trembled beneath them. Scripture highlights a different perspective. What did the Philistines have over the Israelites, what did the Israelites not have, and what determined victory?
The Philistines
The Philistines had 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen and innumerable people. Three companies of raiders went out to terrorize the Israelites. In Philistine cities and villages, there were blacksmiths who charged the Israelites what they did not have, to sharpen their implements necessary for farming.
The Israelites
The Israelites were victims, beaten down by Philistine raids and domination. Only Saul and Jonathan could afford the expensive weapons, leaving their army defenseless on the day of battle.
The Victor
In our minds, the Philistines would be the victor, but what does scripture tell us? “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” God had given victory to the Israelites, as Samuel reminded them, by raising up leaders like Moses and Aaron, Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel. In God lay their victory. In allegiance and obedience to Him, they overcome their enemies. They were defenseless, only apart from Him.
Consider what the Philistines had, what the Israelites did not, and Who brought the victory.