Problem Solvers - Jonathan & Tito

Sometimes I can't help but laugh out loud when I read some of these incredible stories in the Bible. Today's Problem Solver(s) are Jonathan and his armor bearer.

Background story: Jonathan, son of Saul who is the king of Israel, decided to take on some Philistine dudes who are not friendly to the Israel peeps... Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father (1 Samuel 14:1). I would like to emphasize the word GARRISON -- the words simply means "A fortified place, in which troops are quartered for its security."

Picture this: Here's Jonathan and Tito looking at the garrison from the bottom of the hill. And there's probably a good thousand Philistine soldiers on the top of hill, extremely secured and poised for battle.

And here comes the highlight of these two ridiculous problem solvers. They are actually thinking of taking the entire garrison by themselves!... Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.” What a great idea, Jonathan! Maybe you might wanna PROCESS your thoughts before they come out of your mouth?

And if you thought Jonathan is crazy, then you are so wrong... So his armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.” HA! This guy must be brainwashed or something. He did not just say to Jonathan, "ALL RIGHT DAWG! I dig that. Let's go and commit suicide, if you jump, I jump. Woohoo!"

I found out something profound about these people:
Problem Solvers' minds are ill-structured.
(in all the good way)

Here comes the best part of the story:
Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them (woah what a great plan for a sneak-attack, eh!).... So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden.” Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something." (I wonder what THING they are going to show them...)

Jonathan said to his armorbearer, “Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him (told you it was a bad idea... you do all the climbing and running while the Philistines having their tea-time waiting for your grandeur entrance!); and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.

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This is definitely one of the craziest battles mentioned in the Bible, and one of my favorites for sure. These two die-hards simply thought up a plan that is so ridiculously rediculous, but hey, it sure worked well! I laughed pretty hard when I read this story, but I was encouraged by their faith and boldness and CRAZINESS especailly. Props to Jonathan and his buddy Tito!

Stay tuned for our next Problem Solver...

Johnny