Deadly Force: What Does the Bible Say?

“Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6)

   Saul was Israel’s king. The Philistines, an idol-worshipping, heathen people, had overtaken Israel. Saul did nothing. He “...tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree…” (1 Samuel 14:2) Jonathan his son was different. He loved God and loved Israel. As a high-ranking military officer, he also knew something had to be done about the Philistines. If no one else was willing to try, he was.

   Jonathan knew where a Philistine garrison was encamped. He told his armourbearer, “Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.” (1 Samuel 14:1) Jonathan had a reason to go to the Philistines’ garrison. It’s comical in a way that the Bible mentions he did not tell Saul. Saul probably would have told him no, which was a good reason not to tell Saul.

   Jonathan told his armourbearer, “Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6) The fact that he mentioned God tells us Jonathan sought God’s guidance in his life.

   The fact that he said this before a deadly force confrontation is especially important for police officers. The legal wording on police use of deadly force may vary from one jurisdiction to another, but the basic rule is that deadly force can only be used to protect innocent life from an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm when no other reasonable option is available. Yet what does the Bible say?

   Many people may know the Bible says, “Thou shalt not kill.” but do not know where the verse is. For clarity, the verse is Exodus 20:13, and it does not apply to a justifiable police shooting. Here is why:

   During a conversation with a young man, Jesus referred to the ten commandments, saying, “Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal,” (Matthew 19:18) and so on. Note that He did not say, “Thou shalt not kill.” but “Thou shalt do no MURDER.” Jesus clarified that killing and murder are not the same thing. One thing neat about the Bible is that it is often its own commentary.

   Jonathan also said, “…there is no restraint to the LORD to SAVE…” (capitals added on “SAVE”) He would use deadly force to SAVE innocent lives; the same reason police officers are authorized to use it. Jonathan and his armourbearer killed about twenty Philistine soldiers, but the Bible does not mention them confessing sin. They had done nothing wrong. They had done what they did to save innocent lives.

   If an officer uses deadly force to protect innocent life (including his or her own) justifiably when he or she has no other reasonable option, it is not a sin, regardless of the outcome. To clarify further, you may ask yourself what innocent people, including you, could be hurt or killed if you don’t use deadly force.

   The Bible also talks of reasonableness. Romans 12:1 tells Christians to “...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your REASONABLE service.” If someone points a toy or empty gun at you or charges you with a knife, you don’t know the weapon is not a threat, nor do you know his intentions. Your response must be based on saving innocent lives and reason. God knows that.

   Police work can be scary and dangerous. Ask for God’s guidance and help as you do the job. If you want to see how to be sure of a home in heaven, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” to learn about receiving the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour.

Brian Miller 5/23/2025