Mims Chapel Church 

Week 5, December 28

LESSON 5

The Office of the Armorbearer

Lesson Text:

1 Samuel 14:1-16; John 5:30; 2 Timothy 1:16-18

Memory Verse
"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear; I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
John 5:30

Key Terms
Disallow • To refuse to allow.
Garrison • A permanent military installation.
Sanctify the leader • To reveal in word and deed the sacredness of the leader's office.

Suggested Emphasis

As we consider different types of servants in Scripture, we come upon a formidable example in this lesson: the armorbearer. In ancient times, the armorbearer was the one responsible for carrying his master's shield and weaponry into battle. He was charged with seeing to the safety of his commander; he stood beside him, assist­ing him and protecting him from attack. In biblical narrative, there is no more sub­mitted or devoted servant than an armor-bearer, and perhaps the finest illustration of one is the young man who attended King Saul's son Jonathan.

Emphasis 1:

Breaking the Stalemate

The scene is set in Michmash, a Ben-jamite town near Gibeah, the king's res­idence. The land of Benjamin was occu­pied by the Philistines at this time, although the natives were proving to be restless. Open conflict had broken out after an impetuous attack by prince Jon­athan against a Philistine garrison in near­by Geba (1 Samuel 13:3). Jonathan's band overran the outpost, and all of Is­rael took it as a sign to rise against the occupiers. However, a large enemy army was still encamped at Michmash, effec­tively constraining the Israelite forces (1 Samuel 13:16).

Although combat was at a standstill, the Philistines extended their military pres­ence into a ravine pass between Mich-mash and Gibeah (1 Samuel 13:23). Jon­athan was eager to bring the battle directly to this enemy squad. However, his father and 600 elite warriors "tarried" elsewhere on the outskirts of Gibeah (1 Samuel 14:1-2), clandestinely observing the garrison at Michmash (as is explained in 1 Samuel 14:16). It is also implied that Saul was purposely hesitating; Jonathan intended to attack, but he didn't want to inform the king of this plan, presumably to avoid being disallowed.

Emphasis 2:

Matching the Courage of the Leader

This is the quintessential attitude of an armorbearer in the Old Testament. He had complete faith in his leader, trusting in his leader's complete faith in God. Yet, he understood he was called to follow: Jon­athan told him to "come up after me" (1 Samuel 14:12), and he took his place be­hind the man he served, not presuming to get out in front. Moreover, the anointing that fell first on Jonathan, and empowered his success against the combatants, fell also on the armorbearer, who "slew after him" (1 Samuel 14:13). The two men van­quished twenty warriors in the skirmish.

The news of the slaughter caused the gar­rison soldiers in Michmash to reel (1 Sam­uel 14:15). Saul's watchmen spotted the turmoil from their perch and told the king, who ultimately called an attack on the garrison that routed the enemy (1 Samu­el 14:20). So the courage of Jonathan and his armorbearer inspired the Israelites to a great victory. Working in tandem, they were an extension of the hand of God.

Emphasis 3:

The Modern Armorbearers

Considering an application of this passage for the body of Christ, we can say the armorbearers are assistants that perform a ministry to leaders. In the New Testa­ment, perhaps there is the example of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-18). That saint from Asia Minor, while visiting Rome, discovered that Paul was under arrest; with loving concern, he began to minister to him in prison. Others had abandoned the apostle (2 Timothy 1:15), probably for fear of the tremendous persecution of Chris­tians under Nero. Onesiphorus let his concern for Paul's wellbeing overshadow his own safety. It may have even cost him his life: the language of the epistle implies Onesiphorus had since died.

In a modern context, an armorbearer will be selfless and courageous, like an One-siphorus. He will also become acclimated to his leader in certain identifiable ways. He will be an encourager and supporter of leadership. He will have a deep respect for his leader, appreciating his giftedness while also accepting his personality and forbearing his idiosyncrasies. He will walk in agreement and submission to his lead­er. He will be discrete and keep confidenc­es. He will "sanctify the leader in the eyes of the people."

In the Church we often speak of the Ad­jutancy Corps being today's armorbearers. But on the local level, an assistant pastor, an associate minister or a deacon can well fill this role. We are simply describing an aide or assistant as someone who will partner in ministry with the pastor to fa­cilitate his success. It is a Christ-like en­deavor. Just as our Savior faithfully fulfilled the Father's will and not His own, we em­ulate His humility and trustworthiness in the armorbearer's office.

Missions Application Questions

How did Jonathan's armorbearer express his complete confidence in the prince?
Why is selflessness so important to be able to minister to a leader?
Can anyone become an armorbearer? What would be your own strengths and weaknesses filling that office?

World Missions Prayer Points

Let us pray that our spiritual leaders find staff that effectively minister to them.
Let us pray that we become acclimated to our leaders, appreciating their giftedness and forbearing their idiosyncrasies.
Let us pray for the strengthening of the Adjutancy Corps in the Church Of God In Christ.

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