The Man God Has Chosen

Saul had been chosen by God to lead Israel, but because he didn’t fully trust God to do his part, he began to try to make the people do what he wanted.  The more controlling he became, the less concerned he was with what God commanded.  When God sent him to destroy the Amalekites, about twenty years into his reign, he did things his own way, ignoring God’s commands.  As a result, God rejected him from being king asnd Samuel ceased to advise him, in I Samuel 15:35.  “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.”

God had known from the beginning what Saul would do, but because Samuel was hurt by Saul’s rejection, god regretted making him king, just as Jesus wept because Mary and Martha were hurt by Lazarus’ death in John 11.  God loves his people, and even though something has to be done, it grieves him to hurt them even momentarily.  Life doesn’t stop just because something didn’t work out, so after a period of time, perhaps even several years, god told Samuel to appoint a new king, in I Samuel 16:1.  “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”

In I Samuel 11: 13-14, Saul had refused to allow those who didn’t want his as king to be killed because he recognized God was in control.  As he became more controlling, he became less tolerant of any opposition, as I Samuel 16:2a tells us.  “And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me.”  To maintain his power, he would even murder God’s prophet if he suspected him of opposing him.   

Samuel had established a pattern of offering sacrifices in various towns over the years, and God instructed him to hold one of the sacrifices in Bethlehem so that no suspicion would be raised, in I Samuel 16:2b-3.  “And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.  And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.”

The people of Bethlehem were aware of the conflict between Saul and Samuel and were concerned when Samuel came to the city.  Samuel reassured them that he had no intention of endangering them, proceeding as he normally did, but extending a special invitation to jesse and is family, in I Samuel 16:4-I6.  ”And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.”  When they came together for the sacrifice, Samuel was impressed by Jesse’s oldest son, in I Samuel 16:6-7.  “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  As God pointed out, we humans tend to judge based on the outward show, while God is concerned with the heart attitude.  Our choices are often based on popularity and eloquence rather than on ability or ethical beliefs.  The people had liked Saul because he was handsome and taller than anyone else.   The same thing happened with each of the other brothers who were present.

Knowing God had told him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, Samuel finally asked if he had another son, in I Samuel 16:11.   “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children?  And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.”  David had been left behind to keep the sheep because he was too young to take part in the men’s business, but Samuel could not do what he came for unless David was present, so they waited until he arrived, in I Samuel 16:12-13.  “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.

And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

As often happens, God had chosen the one others thought least qualified because they are looking at the outward show.  Based on their looks, their age, and their experience, any of the others seemed like they would be better prospects and no one had even considered David.  Unfortunately we see the same thing happen regularly in churches, and unfortunately many have no spiritually mature leaders like Samuel to encourage them to wait until their David comes along. 

God’s Patience Is Limited

God had chosen Saul and used him mightily to get victories over the Ammonites and the Philistines, but like Samson, he does not follow God completely.  God had given specific instructions about destroying the Amalekites, but Saul chose not to follow them exactly.  Samuel reviewed how he was chosen and asked why he didn’t obey, in I Samuel 15:16-19.  “Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night.

And he said unto him, Say on.

And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?  And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.  Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?”

Even when confronted directly with sin, Saul insisted he had done nothing wrong, and that any sin was the people’s fault, in I Samuel 15:20-21.  “And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.  But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.” 

God had Saul the command to kill every person, and all the livestock.  As the leader it was his job to see the command was followed.  He tried to excuse his allowing the people to keep the livestock because they were going to use them as sacrifices.   That he mentions saving Agag’s life makes it very clear this was in fact Saul’s idea because he was the only one who could benefit from saving him.  Samuel told him that God was not going to accept those excuses in I Samuel 15:22-23.  “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

Samuel said that deliberately refusing to obey God was just as bad as witchcraft, and refusing to admit he was wrong or change was just as bad as worshipping idols or deliberately committing any other sin.  As I John 1:8-10 tells us, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  By insisting he had done nothing wrong, Saul implied God was lying and rejected his forgiveness, insisting none was needed.  Because he would not obey, God was going to take the kingdom away.  If Saul had wanted to please God all he needed to do was obey, as John 14:15 tells us. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”   While God appreciates our desire to give to him, our obedience is much more meaningful.   Far too often sacrifices are just an attempt to butter up God and distract his attention from what we have done, like a husband who got drunk bringing his wife some flowers in hopes she’ll overlook his having blown his paycheck and not being able to buy groceries.

Finally convinced he will not be able to avoid taking some of the responsibility, Saul acknowledged he had done wrong, but still blamed it on the people and asked Samuel to act as if nothing was wrong, in I Samuel 15:24-25.  “And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.  Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.”

God is a very merciful God, but there is a limit to his patience.  Saul had repeatedly ignored God’s commands and power and had insisted on getting his own way instead of trusting God.   God would no longer bless him as he had in the past.  Because he would not do what he was supposed to, he was going to lose his position as king, as I Samuel 15:26 states.  “And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.”

Finally realizing he had gone too far, Saul attempted to physically prevent Samuel leaving.  As I Samuel 15:27-29 tells us, his attempt to intimidate Samuel did not change his mind.  “And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.  And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.  And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.”  Once we have gone past God’s limit, he will not change his mind. 

After finishing the job Saul had been commanded to do, Samuel returned home, and would never again come to advise or encourage Saul, according to I Samuel 15:35.  “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.”  Saul had made it clear he wasn’t interested in what God wanted, and Samuel did not try to force it on him.   If Saul wanted to renew their relationship it would be up to him to come to Samuel.  As we learn later, Saul became bitter toward Samuel,   Only after Samuel’s death did he realize he needed Samuel’s advice.

It’s Not My Fault

Under the various Judges, after defeating the enemies, the people turned to God and the enemies did not attack again until after the judge died and the people turned away.  Under the judges, every person was directly accountable and dependent on God.  When they replaced that system with a monarchy, the focus changed and people became dependent on the king rather than on God .  From that time on, Israel was under almost constant attack.  Samuel had had forty years of peace, but when Saul took over that ended, as we see in II Samuel 14:46-48.  “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.”   Their victories were not nearly as decisive as they had been under the Judges, as we see in I Samuel 14:52.  “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.” 

About six hundred years before, some of Esau’s illegitimate descendants, the Amalekites had attacked Israel when they first came out of Egypt, as described in Exodus 17.  As a result of their unprovoked attack, in Exodus 17:14, God said, “…I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”  They had had six hundred years to repent, but over the years, they had repeatedly attacked Israel instead.  Finally God had had enough, and in I Samuel 15:1-3 he directed Saul to wipe them out.  “Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.  Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”

While most of Esau’s descendants had settled in the area to the south and east of the Dead Sea. The Amalekites were a nomadic people warlike people inhabiting the desert areas from Shur, just east of Egypt to Havilah in present day Kuwait.   Saul set out to do What God had commanded, in I Samuel 15:4-8.  “And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.  And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.  And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.  And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.  And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.”

The Kenites were descendants of Moses’ in-laws, and had gone with the Israelites, with most of them settling along the southern border, near Edom.  Remembering the help and encouragement they had given Israel, Saul warned them to separate themselves so they would not be mistaken for Amalekites.  With a two hundred thousand man army, Saul was able to wipe out the various Amalekite bands, and capture their king, as God commanded. 

Unfortunately, they did not follow God’s command completely as we see in I Samuel 15:9.  “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.”  The Amalekites had some really good breeding stock they could use improve their own herds.  Having the king of a powerful group such as the Amalekites a slave would impress other rulers so they also saved Agag and some of his family.   

As a result of his disobedience, God regretted having made Saul king, according to I Samuel 15:10-11.  “Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.” 

Saul was clearly aware of his disobedience, going out of his way to avoid meeting Samuel on his return, then trying to brazen it out in I I Samuel 15:12-13.  “And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.  And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.”

Samuel was not fooled at al by Saul’s claims to have obeyed God.  Dead cows or sheep would not be mooing and bleating, as he pointed out in I Samuel 15:14.  “And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”   Knowing he had been caught, Saul blamed the disobedience on the people, using the excuse they wanted to use the best animals for sacrifices, in I Samuel 15:15.  “And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”  Surely God would be satisfied that they had killed all the others. 

Like a lot of people, Saul was not willing to admit he had sinned.  As the leader, the primary responsibility was saul’s and verse 9 tells us, "But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them…”  When he had commanded the people not to eat in the previous chapter, they obeyed him even though they were about to pass out from low blood sugar’ and if he had told them to kill the livestock they would have done as he said.  Ultimately, it was his decision not to obey God.

The Danger Of Using Carnal Methods

Saul’s order not to eat until his enemies were destroyed seriously impaired the people’s ability to fight.  By the end of the day they were weak and  desperately hungry as we see in I Samuel 14:31-32.  “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.”   The people’s blood sugar was so low they thought they were going to pass out.  In an effort to prevent that, they didn’t take the time to properly drain the blood from the animals they butchered, cooking and eating them while the blood was still dripping, in violation of Leviticus 17:10-14.  “And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.  And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.  For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.”

Animal life depends on blood circulation to carry nutrients to the cells and to carry away waste products.   By offering the blood as a sacrifice or pouring it on the ground they were essentially giving the life back to God. acknowledging that all life comes from him.  Saul pointe dout they were going against God’s command and stopped them, in I Samuel 14:33-34.  “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.”

Knowing the people had done wrong, Saul decided they needed to get God’s approval again and built an altar, in I Samuel 14:35-37.  “And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.  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.

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.”

When God didn’t answer immediately, Saul decided they had to punish whoever had cause the people to eat the blood, in I Samuel 14:38-44.  “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.  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.”

The people had seen how much effect the bit of honey had on Jonathan and were desperate for the same thing.  While Jonathan had disobeyed his father’s command, he had done nothing wrong in eating the honey.  As he had pointed out the real problem was his father’s command for them not to eat,  His action only precipitated the sin.  Unfortunately, like many other people, Saul was not willing to admit his own mistakes, choosing to sacrifice his own son to protect his pride.   

Fortunately, the people recognized Jonathan had been led by God and refused to allow him to be killed, in I Samuel 14:45.  “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.” 

As often happens, when we try to use earthly means to accomplish spiritual purposes, Saul’s efforts to motivate the people not only hampered the people, it caused them to sin, and almost resulted in the destruction of a man who was following God. 

A Lack Of Faith Hinders Victory

Because Saul was not sure God would give the victory, he had procrastinated until most of the people deserted him.  Trusting God, Jonathan attacked the Philistines, even though it seemed there was no possibility of success.  His killing of twenty men would have had little impact, except god cause a minor earthquake at the same time that threw the Philistines into a panic.  Even when Saul saw them running away, he still didn’t trust God to give the victory, as we see in I Samuel 14:17-18.  “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.  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.”

Just two of his men had put the entire Philistine army to flight, but Saul was still afraid God wouldn’t bless unless they offered a sacrifice to bribe him.  Throughout history, people have had this heathen idea of an unloving god who has to be bribed to help us.  So many of the Philistines had fled that it was obvious they would all escape if they took the time to go through the whole process, so he decided to forgo the sacrifice and sent his men to attack the fleeing Philistines in I Samuel 14:19-23.  “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.  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.”

When Saul took action, even the people who had deserted in discouragement came back to help.  They jwere willing to give their best, but they needed someone to take the lead and reassure them that they were not alone.  Here we see the biggest difference between a leader and a politician.  Jonathan was a leader.  He stepped out to accomplish a goal without concern for whether the rest of them followed or not.  Other people saw the results of his actions and joined in. 

Saul was a politician.  He spent his time trying to motivate the others, but he would not act until he was assured of success.  Someone described a politician as a person who looks to see which way the crowd is going, then runs to get in front to leave the impression he is the leader.   In an effort to assert their authority, politicians begin to boss people around, and their efforts to take control are often counterproductive.   Saul gave orders that no one was to eat anything until his enemies were wiped out, as I Samuel 14:24 tells us.  “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.”

The Philistines were everybody’s problem, but Saul was only concerned with his legacy and goals.  He gave the order with no consideration for the needs of the people.  After hours of fighting with no sustenance, they had no energy left, but when God provided a shnack that would have reenergized them, they dared not touch it thanks to Saul’s order, as I Samuel 14:25-26 says.  “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.”

Because Jonathan had been busy following God’s leadership and doing what needed to be done, he didn’t know about Saul’s order, as we see in I Samuel 14:27.  “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.”  After eating a little of the honey, Jonathan regained his energy and was ready to fight again. 

When he was informed of Saul’s order, Jonathan pointed out that the order actually held the people back.  Had the people been free eat as needed, they would have been able to do much more, as I Samuel 14:28-20 tells us.  “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?”  By focusing on his own goals, Saul had hurt rather than helped the people. 

Jonathan Trusts The Lord

With only about six hundred of his original two thousand remaining, Saul withdrew his forces from Gilgal and Michmash and joined Jonathan’s forces in Gibeah, as I Samuel 13:16 tells us.  “And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.”  The Philistines occupied Michmash and made it their command post.  The sent out three separate forces to drve the people away and destroy any opposition according to I Samuel 13:17-18.  “And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.”

Over the years, the Philistines had focused on destroying Israel’s ability to produce weapons, killing or enslaving their blacksmiths and skilled workers and burning their shops.  This placed the Israelites at a serious disadvantage as I Samuel 13:19-22 describes.  “Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his ax, and his mattock.  Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.  So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.”  Saul and Jonathan had the only two swords.  Everyone else would have to use tools such as axes, hoes, pruning hooks, and sickles, placing them as t disadvantage. 

The Philistines Knew where Saul was, and remembering Jonathan’s raid on the camp at Geba, they blocked off access to Michmash.    Jonathan decided to look over their arrangements and see if their was any way a small force could do much damage, in I Samuel 13:23-14:1.  “And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.  Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.”

Most of Saul’s army and volunteers had deserted because Saul had waited so long to attack.  Not wanting to have to wait for Samuel again, he had Eli’s great grandson on standby to offer sacrifices if needed, but he his only plan was to try to hold their position.  No one knew Jonathan was gone, as we see in I Samuel 14:2-3.   “And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

While they might be able to hold their position in Gilgal for a while, Jonathan knew sooner or later they would be defeated.  He went looking for some way to improve their chances, in I Samuel 14:4-5.  There was a canyon running east and west between the Philistine position and Saul’s camp, according to I Samuel 14:4-5.  “And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.  The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.”

Realizing God was not dependent on the size of Israel’s army, Jonathan decided to see how the Philistines would respond to seeing Israelites in the canyon, in I Samuel 14:6-10.  “And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, 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.

And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.  If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.  But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.”

If the Philistines were much on guard and ordered them to halt, the element of surprise would be lost and they wouldn’t attack, but if they seemed over confident and unconcerned, they would take it as a sign God would bless their efforts to attack.  I Samuel 14:11-15 describes the result.  “And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.  And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.

And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.  And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.  And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.   And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.  And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.”  While Jonathan and his armor bearer only killed about twenty, the Philistines were caught completely off guard by the attack.  A small earthquake at the same time added to the confusion and resulted in panic and the Philistines fled, justifying Jonathan’s faith.   

A Lack Of Faith Leads To Sin

When Saul was named king, he had no real idea how he should act, so he went on herding his livestock just as he had always done, except he had a group of guys who went with him.  As a result, when the Ammonites attacked, he had no army on standby and had to put out a general call for the people to come fight.  After their defeat in I Samuel 7, the Philistines had been afraid to attack Israel as long as Samuel led them but when they learned that Saul had been chosen to lead Israel, they began to raid again. 

Two years after becoming king, Saul formed a small military force to stop the terrorist attacks, according to I Samuel 13:1-2.  “Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.” 

Because of the events in Judges 19-21, the tribe of Benjamin was almost wiped out and there were not enough to hold all their land,  The Philistines had established a military camp at Geba, so Saul placed a thousand troops in Gibeah to stop their depredations.  Under Jonathan, Saul’s troops captured the Philistine camp, in I Samuel 13:3-4.  “And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.  And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.”  Saul used Jonathan’s victory to rally support against the Philistines.

The Philistines responded with an invasion by a far larger and better equipped army than Israel could field, in I Samuel 13:5-7, driving many of the Israelites out of their homes.  “And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.  And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead…”

Frightened by the size of the force against him Saul sent for Samuel to come and invoke God’s blessings on the army.  When Samuel didn’t arrive as soon as he thought he should, Saul took matters into his own hand, in I Samuel 7b-9.  “As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.  And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.  And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.”

Because Saul had not trusted God to give the victory at Jabesh Gilead, he had threatened to kill anyone who didn’t help’s oxen.  This time the people were there, but the Philistine army was bigger, and he didn’t trust god to help them unless they offered a bribe in the form of a sacrifice, and he didn’t dare wait any longer.   Samuel arrived just as he finished, as I Samuel 13:10 tells us.  “And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.”

Sal rushed to meet Samuel.  It was obvious to Samuel that Saul was up to something and he questioned him in I Samuel 13:11-12.  “And Samuel said, What hast thou done?

And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.”

Saul knew that only the priests were allowed to offer the sacrifices, as numbers 3:10 specifies.  “And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.”  He tried to excuse himself, first blaming Samuel for being late and saying he was afraid the people would leave if he didn’t act fast so he had gone agains his own reservations and offered the sacrifice. 

Samuel didn’t buy the excuses.  Saul was to obey God, no matter how he felt.  Because he had disobeyed, God would take the kingdom away from him, as I Samuel 13:13-tells us.  “And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.  But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”

We need to realize God cares about us and we don’t have to bribe him to act on our behalf.   He will always do his part if we just do what he says.  When we don’t trust him, we cause ourselves problems.  Saul’s hesitation to attack had resulted in all but about six hundred deserting him, according to I Samuel 13;15.  And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.”