THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
Why did Jonathan, in his pursuit to confront the enemy, communicate certain signs to his armor-bearer? Not as a means of divination but as a faithful believer, he sought to discern God's will and believed those signs would indicate divine direction. Specifically, he reasoned that if the adversaries called to them, it would be a clear indication that he could engage them with full assurance of God's support.
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Jonathan expressed this conviction by saying, "Let us go up, because the Lord has delivered them into our hands: this is a sign unto us." However, he also stated, "If they say to us, Let us tarry therein, we will not go unto them." His willingness to rely on God placed him in considerable peril, a notion he conveyed with his words: "Let us go into the camp of the uncircumcised; let us see what the Lord will do for us, for it is no trouble for the Lord to save by many or by few." These remarks reveal a soul firmly anchored in faith. Jonathan's trust did not lead to disappointment; promptly, he attacked, launching arrows and casting stones that caused confusion within the enemy's ranks. The foes, having assembled from various cities, failed to recognize one another and ended up turning against themselves. Observing this chaos from a distance, Saul, convinced of the imminent victory through the insight granted by the priestly garments, rushed against the invaders. Yet, upon witnessing the enemy's retreat, he foolishly placed a curse upon those who had eaten or drunk before evening.