I Samuel 14:16-31
“And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.” (I Samuel 14:16-17)
Saul’s observers noticed the commotion in the Philistine camp and that it looked like they were fighting among themselves and running away. When they reported it, Saul demanded to know who could be causing he commotion. The only two that were missing were Jonathan and his armor bearer.
“And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.” (I Samuel 14:18-19)
Even with the Philistine army running away, Saul was afraid to attack without a special sign from God. What a contrast between his lack of faith and his son’s faith. Jonathan said “there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few,” and went ahead, while Saul said I don’t think we have enough and waited for more. Finally it became so obvious what was happening, he decided he didn’t need to pray about it any more. According to James 1:5-8, it was probably his lack of faith to commit that prevented his getting an answer.
“And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.” (I Samuel 14:20-23)
When Saul committed to fighting, the people who had surrendered to the Philistines and those who were hiding out came out to help him. Had he simply trusted God enough to go fight without waiting for some special sign by Samuel, he probably would have already had the victory. God gave a great victory.
“And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.” ( I Samuel 14:4-26)
When Saul attempted to motivate Israel by threatening to kill their oxen if they didn’t come help fight the Ammonites, only about half as many showed up as had been available when they came into the land. When he offered the sacrifice in an effort to rally their support they deserted him, leaving only six hundred. In another effort to motivate them, Saul pronounced a curse on anyone who ate anything before victory was complete. Once again, his efforts to motivate them were counterproductive.
They were severely weakened by their lack of food, and when they found a place where there was a ready supply of quick energy, no one dared eat any because of Saul’s curse. It didn’t matter that God had supplied it for them.
“But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.” (I Samuel 14:27)
Jonathan had been busy doing what the Lord led him to do. As a result he didn’t know about the curse, so when he saw the honey God supplied, he took some, and recovered his energy.
“Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?” (I Samuel 14:28-30)
When they saw Jonathan eating the honey, the people warned him about Saul’s curse. Jonathan pointed out that Saul’s efforts to motivate them had been counterproductive, leaving them weakened and famished just when they needed the most strength. Had they been at full strength, they would have been better able to finish the battle. This is frequently the result when we set our own standards in an effort to produce better results.
“And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.” (I Samuel 14:31)
“And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.” (I Samuel 14:16-17)
Saul’s observers noticed the commotion in the Philistine camp and that it looked like they were fighting among themselves and running away. When they reported it, Saul demanded to know who could be causing he commotion. The only two that were missing were Jonathan and his armor bearer.
“And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.” (I Samuel 14:18-19)
Even with the Philistine army running away, Saul was afraid to attack without a special sign from God. What a contrast between his lack of faith and his son’s faith. Jonathan said “there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few,” and went ahead, while Saul said I don’t think we have enough and waited for more. Finally it became so obvious what was happening, he decided he didn’t need to pray about it any more. According to James 1:5-8, it was probably his lack of faith to commit that prevented his getting an answer.
“And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.” (I Samuel 14:20-23)
When Saul committed to fighting, the people who had surrendered to the Philistines and those who were hiding out came out to help him. Had he simply trusted God enough to go fight without waiting for some special sign by Samuel, he probably would have already had the victory. God gave a great victory.
“And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.” ( I Samuel 14:4-26)
When Saul attempted to motivate Israel by threatening to kill their oxen if they didn’t come help fight the Ammonites, only about half as many showed up as had been available when they came into the land. When he offered the sacrifice in an effort to rally their support they deserted him, leaving only six hundred. In another effort to motivate them, Saul pronounced a curse on anyone who ate anything before victory was complete. Once again, his efforts to motivate them were counterproductive.
They were severely weakened by their lack of food, and when they found a place where there was a ready supply of quick energy, no one dared eat any because of Saul’s curse. It didn’t matter that God had supplied it for them.
“But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.” (I Samuel 14:27)
Jonathan had been busy doing what the Lord led him to do. As a result he didn’t know about the curse, so when he saw the honey God supplied, he took some, and recovered his energy.
“Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?” (I Samuel 14:28-30)
When they saw Jonathan eating the honey, the people warned him about Saul’s curse. Jonathan pointed out that Saul’s efforts to motivate them had been counterproductive, leaving them weakened and famished just when they needed the most strength. Had they been at full strength, they would have been better able to finish the battle. This is frequently the result when we set our own standards in an effort to produce better results.
“And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.” (I Samuel 14:31)
Again, a good contrast between father and son. Excellent post; thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ian.
ReplyDeleteAs I look, I am increasingly concerned that, like Saul, the modern church has gotten caught up in human methods of doing things rather than in trusting God.