Series: Sidekick and Better Half Introduction by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

What is a sidekick? The one who helps the main person or character in the story. It’s Robin to Batman, Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes or Sancho Panza to Don Quixote. A lot of times, they are the ones who help the main person succeed in their endeavor. They are the encouragers. Most of the time they are overlooked and can be undervalued in the story line.

Better Half definition is the spouse. Jimmy is my better half. He might refer to me as his better half. It’s a term of endearment. The first use of the word back in the 1500s referred to the bigger portion of an object or time period.

The Bible portrays amazing characters, and most often, beside them are sidekicks or perhaps the better half.

In this series we will look at some of them to see how they helped the main character. We will see heroes in their own right but we may find some that are not acting like heroes and should’ve known better than to do what they did.

I’m excited to dig into these more obscure figures in the lives of godly men and women. Who knows, maybe the sidekick or better half actually change roles with the main character?  Roles can switch depending on the situation.

Most often Johnathan is a side kick to David and or Saul. But what if he, Jonathan is actually the main character? Did Johnathan have a sidekick? Abraham is the main character but what about his better half? Maybe Sarah is the main character and Abraham is her better half that should’ve known better?

Who is Jael? She is not a better half to any biblical personalities, but could she be a sidekick in the narrative?  There are many sidekicks and better halves to examine.

For starters, today, we will zero in on a side kick of Jonathan’s, King Saul’s son. A no-named person only referred to from his position in the army as Johnathan’s armorbearer.

So for quick reference, The first king to reign over the Israelites was Saul and his prominent son is Johnathan who became David’s best friend long before David took the throne.   

For this story we look in 1 Samuel 14:1-23. The Philistines were sworn enemies of Israel. King Saul led his troops into another battle against the hoard of Philistines. Back in that day, forged metal turned into swords was scarce. Saul and Jonathan were the only ones who carried a sword in the whole army. The others had clubs, spears, bows and arrows and knives.

Because of preceding events, which you can read about in chapter 13, the Israel army shrunk down to only 600 men against the might of around 10,000 Philistines warriors.

Jonathan demonstrated his bravery by going alone to the outpost of one of the garrisons of the enemy. He wasn’t quite alone. His armor bearer stayed by his side.

An armor bearer carried extra weapons and a large shield. They honed their skill before being selected for that role. They were good fighting men. The Armor bearer flanked the soldier, protecting blind spots, finishing off those wounded by their commander and if necessary, giving the mercy strike to a dying master before the enemy got ahold of him. They were the best weapon a king or commander could have.

Jonathan knew the location of the outpost. To get to it requires hand and toe climbing up a cliff. Johnathan prayed to the Lord for guidance to determine if God wanted them to do the impossible.

He turned to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” 

The no named man had complete faith in Jonathan and the Lord. “Do what you think is best, I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” 

No hesitation. A mighty and fearless man, this sidekick.

Johnathan had a way of knowing if they should go or not. God told Jonathan the enemy should say certain words as an invitation to engage.

First, they climbed to where the enemy caught sight of them. Then an incredible thing happened. The Philistines invited them by saying what Jonathan knew would be the sign that God would help them.

The signal words cascaded down to them. “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” 

 I’m sure fear beaded Sidekicks forehead. His blood pulsated in his ears. His palms grew moist and his mouth felt full of the Negev Desert. Unable to speak, he nodded.

Look at his faith. He trusted not only the Lord but his master. He grasped the significance of the event. He embraced his job and was willing to do it no matter what the cost. Whining wasn’t in his vocabulary. No objections to the task at hand. When Johnathan turned his back, Sidekick didn’t slink away. Remember, he carried extra weapons, but Johnathan held the only sword.

Wow.

The craigs in front of them carried names of Bozez and Seneh. Maybe as children, they had climbed them? Now, they wore battle array. Their task meant toe and finger climbing. A proficient rock climber would be impressed.

Young Armor Bearer held extra weapons. What did they do with them. Did they leave them at the bottom so they could climb? Strap them to Sidekick’s back? They would need them at the top.

Jonathan led the way, and close behind, a sidekick with no name. Great courage. Amazing trust and faith. A warrior in his own right followed.

God went before them. It took faith and courage. Jonathan in the front, Sidekick in the rear. They killed twenty and left bodies scattered over a half-acre on top of the hill.

Panic attacked the rest of the Philistines. You think? God added an earthquake. Sweet! Everyone of their enemies were terrified.

Jonathan got the credit for this victory. But he couldn’t, probably wouldn’t, have climbed up there had his sidekick slunk off. Mr. Sidekick brought up the rear and made it possible for Jonathan to get credit for the miraculous victory. God led them. They believed. God added His finishing quake, and the battle is recorded in scripture for all generations to learn from and be encouraged.

How is OUR faith? Do we step up to the difficult and even fearful tasks? Do we encourage others in their pursuits? Give help when needed? All it takes is a willing heart and faith in the huge God Almighty.

Be that sidekick. Go help someone fight a battle.