Saul and Jonathan

Saul lost his position as king over Israel because of his lack of determination to defeat the enemies of Israel. The prophet Samuel told him, “The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.” (1 Sam 28:17-18)

The Torah says that that the fight against Amalek will continue in every generation until Messiah comes. “The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Ex 17:16) “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel [the Messiah]; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth…Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” (Num 24:17,20)
The battle against Amalek today is the same as it has always been. It is the same hatred and beastlike cruelty that the Jewish people have fought before during their long history: the Crusades, the Inquisition, the pogroms, the Holocaust and now Islamic terror. But in the end all of Israel’s enemies will be destroyed. It is written,

“Rejoice, O nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.” (Deu 32:43)

The young Jonathan had a different spirit than Saul. He represents the new kind of leadership that we must pray for today in Israel. He was unselfish and free from pride and ambition. And he had a strong and optimistic faith in God. “Jonathan said to the young man who carried 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 can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.’” (1 Sam 14:6)
Jonathan later made a covenant with David because he loved Israel and understood that God had anointed David to become king even though he was the heir to the throne. Jonathan represents the kind of both daring and unselfish leaders we need to pray for today in Israel.
It is written that in the end times the Jewish leaders will be very strong. “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.” (Zech 12:6) The Hebrew word that is translated as “clans” in this verse is usually translated “leaders.” The same word is used today in modern Hebrew about the officers in the Israeli army. The promise is primarily referring to military leaders!
It is written about Jerusalem, “And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa 1:26) God has promised to answer our prayers to give Israel leaders after his heart!

Hanna Prayed and Changed History
Paul said about Israel in his sermon in Pisidian Antioch, “he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.” (Acts 13:20) Samuel was the first prophet to lead the nation of Israel. With his birth a new chapter began in the history of God’s people. He was a new type of leader. It was Samuel who ended up anointing David as king. He was the “John the Baptist” of his day who prepared the way of the LORD.
It was the prayers of his mother Hanna that initiated this new era under a new leadership. Likewise we are called to pray for Israel today for this kind of leadership to emerge. Some prayers are answered quickly while others can take a long time, especially prayers of this magnitude. Hanna’s prayers were born out of much suffering for many years. We read about her,

“There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
“Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, ‘Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?’
“After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’
“…Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, ‘How long will you go on being drunk? Put away your wine from you.’ But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.’ Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (1 Sam 1:1-11,13-18)

Hanna did not quit until here prayers were answered. As we mentioned earlier we are very grateful for the present Prime Minister in Israel. He is truly a gift from God just as his name means, and we need to continue to lift him up in prayer. At the same time we also need to pray with the same fervency and endurance that Hanna had for a leadership in Israel that can take the Jewish people through the dark night that lies ahead.

Israel needs the wisdom and experience of the older generation of leaders like Netanyahu. But we also need the daring faith of a young new generation of leaders like Jonathan and David that will not compromise with the pressure from the nations. The efforts of the so-called Quartet to create a “two state solution” are completely meaningless. They are not from God and will only weaken Israel in the process until the enemy is ready to deal the Jewish state a final blow. Moreover, if, heaven forbid, they should succeed they will contradict God’s will for his people spoken by the prophets.

Jerusalem and the mountains of Israel where the Palestinians want a state belong by eternal decree to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is on the mountains of Israel that God has declared that his name will be glorified all over the earth and that the enemy will fall!

Israel must be prepared to face the nations of the world alone with only God and his promises on their side! Jonathan told the people, “See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today.” (1 Sam 14:29-30) Honey is a symbol in the Scriptures for the prophetic word of God. Let’s pray for a leadership in Israel that is guided by the light of His Word!

Those who believe this way are just like Hanna greatly ridiculed today by their rivals. But just as it was for Hanna, prayer will make the difference! Let us take her song of praise to our hearts. This is written for all the watchmen and prayer warriors who intercede for Israel that His word will be fulfilled,
“And Hannah prayed and said, ‘My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.’” (1 Sam 2:1-10)

• Pray for much wisdom for Prime Minister Netanyahu to deal with the difficult situation Israel is facing today especially regarding Iran!
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.’” (Dan 2:20-22)
• Pray that Israel will develop a wise strategy to deal with kidnappings in the future!
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war…wisdom helps one to succeed.” (Ecc 9:18; 10:10)
• Pray for a new generation of godly leaders in Israel!
“And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa 1:26)
• Pray that God will raise up bold and courageous leaders like Jonathan, especially in the army!
“Jonathan said to the young man who carried 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 can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.’” (1 Sam 14:6)
• Pray that the leaders in the army will be strong!
“On that day I will make the [military leaders] of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.” (Zech 12:6)
• Pray that the leaders in Israel will trust the promises in God’s Word!
“The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Ps 33:9-11)
• Pray that the leaders in Israel will be guided by the words of the prophets!
“See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found.” (1 Sam 14:29-30)
• Pray for the blessing and protection of the Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and for the ministry of HaYovel (see www.HaYovel.com) mobilizing help to these farmers!
“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; 
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.” (Isa 61:4-5)
• Pray for a mighty harvest into the kingdom of God in the Muslim world!
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” (Rom 15:12)

portions taken from Watchman International prayer alert