1 Samuel 14 provides a partial fulfillment of God’s statement that Saul would save his people from the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 9:16). Following their victory, the Philistine army will withdraw from the central hill country and move back to their lands in the south. They will return later to challenge Saul’s army once again (see 1 Samuel 17:1; 1 Samuel 23:1).1
The chapter as a whole serves to set up a contrast between Jonathan, who focuses on God’s promises, and Saul, who focuses on troop numbers.2 Jonathan is portrayed as someone who would have made a good king for Israel.3 Sadly his destiny is linked to that of his father, and they will eventually die together on the battlefield (1 Samuel 31:1–13).4
1 Un jour, Jonathan, fils de Saül, dit au jeune homme qui portait ses armes: Viens, et poussons jusqu'au poste des Philistins, qui est là de l'autre côté. Et il n'en dit rien à son père.