Unintended Consequences

I Samuel 14:31-52

“And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.  And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.” (I Samuel 14:31-32) 

In an effort to motivate the people, Saul had pronounced a curse on anyone who ate before evening.  Fighting required extra energy and their reserves were depleted.  By nightfall, the people were desperate for something to eat.  In their desperation, they didn’t take the time to fully drain the blood from the animals bodies before cooking them, violating God’s command.

“Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. 

And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.  And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.  And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.” (I Samuel 14:33-35) 

Hearing what was happening, Saul demanded that the people bring their animals to a central place to be slaughtered so he could be sure they were doing it the right way, than telling them and trusting them to follow instructions.  He had to be in control and couldn’t trust anyone including God.  

“And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. 

And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee.” (I Samuel 14:36-37a) 

Saul had forbidden his men to eat to satisfy his own ego according to I Samuel 14:24.  “Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies.”  They had fought until they were fainting for lack of food, but now Saul  wants them fight all night in an effort to totally annihilate their enemies.  Clearly, he has little concern for his men, but is focused on his own agenda.  His attitude is typical of those who want to have control.   Fortunately, the priest was not as focused on his desires as Saul was.

Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. 

And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. 

And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.  For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.” (I Samuel 14:37b-39)

When Saul asked the Lord whether they should go on, and if he’d give them victory, the Lord didn’t answer.  Saul’s purpose was entirely selfish, “…that I may be avenged on mine enemies.”  James 4:3 declares, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” It really isn’t surprising God didn’t answer.

When Saul didn’t get an answer, he jumped to the conclusion it was someone had disobeyed him.  He would kill whoever had done so, even if it involved own son, Jonathan.  Even the people who knew that Jonathan had broken Saul’s command refused to tell.

“Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. 

And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. 

Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. 

And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. 

Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. 

And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. 

And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.” (I Samuel 14:40-44) 

A thorough investigation revealed that Jonathan had violated Saul’s command.  He had not broken any of God’s commands or committed any crime, nor had he known that the command had been made, yet a death sentence had been imposed.  Saul wasn’t concerned at all about the injustice of his decision.  He wasn’t about to admit he had been wrong in or change his mind.  He was going to carry out the threat to prove he meant what he said, right or wrong.

Though Saul called Jonathan’s action sin, the real sin was Saul’s failure to believe God that impelled him to give the command.  It had several unintended consequences.  The warriors were weakened by lack of food, Jonathan’s life was placed in jeopardy for nothing, and the warriors were tempted to sin because of Saul’s lack of faith.  Self-centered  people rarely consider the side effects of their actions.

“And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.” (I Samuel 14:45) 

The people recognized that the victory they had won had been because Jonathan was obeying God.  It would not be right to punish him for doing God laid on his heart because Saul didn’t trust God.  Even a king cannot stand against a united populace for long, so Saul capitulated.

“Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place. 

So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.  And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. 

Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.  And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 

And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.(I Samuel 14:46-52)

Saul spent his entire reign fighting against the neighboring countries, fighting numerous battles with all them.  To do so, required a constantly growing military force.  He was constantly on the lookout for the strongest and bravest soldiers and leaders, drafting them for military duty.   In the six hundred years before they made Saul king, they had never needed a standing army.  After Saul became king, they were constantly at war.