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.