Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that [is] on the other side. But he told not his father.
Ver. 1. Jonathan the son of Saul said.] By an extraordinary instinct of the Spirit, and by the force of his faith, founded upon God's promise, Deuteronomy 28:7 ; Deu 32:10 the ground of all true valour and magnanimity.
Said unto the young man that bare his armour.] His squire; such as was Joannes de Temporibus to Charles the Great, in the year of grace 1139.
But he told not his father.] Lest Saul should have counted him as temerarious as himself was timorous; and have said unto him as afterwards Archidamus did to his son, rashly conflicting with the Athenians whom he was not able to deal with, Aut viribus adde, ant animis adime; Either add to thy strength, or abate of thy courage.