During the 1st World War, a brigade major stationed in Palestine was ordered to wrest a village called Michmash from the Turks. The name sounded somehow familiar to him, so he began searching his Bible.

     Sure enough, he found the village mentioned in 1 Samuel...and that at one time King Saul found himself in the same position. Reading on, the major found that rather than attacking the hilltop village by full assault, Saul's son, Jonathan had discovered a narrow pass through the rocks, and with a small force, had quickly overtaken the (then) Philistine garrison in a small open field. The main enemy force assumed they must be surrounded, panicked and were routed.

     The Biblical account was very detailed. The major reasoned that the pass must still exist, so he sent patrols to reconnoiter by moonlight. The way was found, as was the open field. So, like his ancient predecessor, rather than committing an entire brigade, he sent a single company through the pass. By morning, they had taken position in the field. And, in like manner, when the Turks awoke, they assumed they were surrounded, tried to flee, and--with similar results--were all killed or captured.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)

Acknowledgments: 16, 17

© Russ Brown, 1998