Jonathan’s Success: The way in which chapter 14 is structured indicates that it is a written record of what was originally an oral story, perhaps one that was told around the campfire to young soldiers. 

13:23–14:1 These two verses set up the theme of the story, and then we have background information provided before the drama is revealed.

As chapter 13 indicated, the Philistines had sent out detachments to raid the countryside and in doing so left outposts to guard various passes. Jonathan, seeing an opportunity, seizes it. Waiting until the proper channels of communication had been used did not suit Jonathan’s activist nature, and therefore Saul was not told. Saul’s having not been informed is significant for the unfolding story.

14:2–5 Saul was still based near his home at Gibeah with the …