Trying To Make Things Happen

 When Jonathan and his armor bearer attacked the Philistine guard outpost, God caused an earthquake at the same time.  Hearing the fighting and feeling the earthquake, the Philistines panicked.  Desperate to escape, they killed anyone who got in their way, as I Samuel 14:16tells us.  “And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.”

 

Jonathan had wanted to have an idea what was needed before talking to his father. He had originally had no intention of attacking them, but when the opportunity presented itself, he seized it.  When Saul realized the Philistines were fighting and running away, he demanded to know who was causing it.   upon learning it was Jonathan and his armor bearer, Saul called for priest to pray and see what they should do, 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.”

 

While Saul was talking to the priest about the prayers he wanted, the Philistines kept running away, and finally Saul told them to forget about taking the time to pray and get busy chasing the Philistines since it was obvious God was giving them the victory, in I Samuel 14:19-20.  “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.”

 

Like the Midianites in Gideon’s day, the Philistines were so frightened, they were killing each other in their efforts to escape.  Seeing the possibility of victory, the people who had given up on Saul returned to help, n I Samuel 14:21-23.  “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.”

 

In the battle with the Ammonites, because he didn’t trust God to inspire the people, Saul ahd threatened to destroy their oxen if they didn’t come to help him.  This time, he called for a curse on anyone who ate anything before he had achieved victory, in I Samuel 14:24-26.  “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.”

 

Saul’s statement, “…Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies,” reveals that he was far more concerned about getting his way than about what God wanted.  Because he did not understand it was God’s battle, he had to try to make everything happen the way he wanted it.   Jonathan had stepped out by faith, seeking God’s leadership, and as a result, He had not heard Saul’s order, and when God supplied readily available food, he ate some, as I Samuel 14:27 describes.  “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.”

 

Because he was acting in the flesh, depending on his own efforts Saul’s actios actually hindered the people’s ability to fight, as Jonathan pointed out, in I Samuel 14:28-30.  “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?”

 

Suffering from a shortage of nutrients after a day of extreme exertion, when they were finally allowed to eat, the Jews did not waste time following the Old Testament laws about draining the blood from the meat before cooking it.   Rather than acknowledging his mistake, Saul blamed the people for disobeying God,  as I Samuel 14:31-34 tells us.  “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.  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.”

 

Rather than reminding the people what God commanded, Saul gave an executive order demanding that a priest be present to oversee the butchering.  Unfortunately, Modern Jews have adopted and expanded Saul’s command, demanding that a priest oversee the processing of foods to make them kosher.