It most certainly seemed surreal to Saul, when he was anointed to be king of Israel. He was just a young, common man who only stuck out because of his height. Yet, one day he's sent to look for his father's stubborn donkeys and the next he's commissioned to become Israel's first king. Just a month after he was crowned, he found himself leading an army against the Ammonites to rescue a nearly defenseless city called Jabesh-Gilead. Hardly anyone expected Saul to come to their aid, but that is just what he did. In heroic boldness, he stood up for the little guys and made their bullies flee in terror (1 Samuel 11)! After the victory, Saul humbly declared, “...today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel!” (Vs. 13) He knew that their triumph truly came from the mighty hand of God. Before this battle, there were many who were reluctant to claim Saul as their king, but afterwards, they proudly and publicly acknowledged him as the ruler of Israel.
In time, Saul attempted to lead an insurrection against the Philistines, who had controlled much territory around the Israelites (1 Samuel 13). What is interesting is that he only stationed two thousand men in the city of Michmash, and placed Jonathan, his son, in command of over one thousand men in Geba. Under Saul's orders, Jonathan courageously defeated the Philistine's military post in Geba. It is evident in 1 Samuel 14 that Johnathan had strong confidence in the Lord's power. He believed God would deliver them from the hand of the Philistines.
After the victory in Geba, Saul sent word throughout Israel to call men to action, knowing that the Philistines would swiftly retaliate. The lines had been drawn and the battle cry was made, but instead of seeking God's will and favor foremost, Saul relied on the bravery and power of man. Perhaps, he thought that if they could defeat one garrison with a thousand men, then the hearts of the Israelites would be emboldened to fight against the Philistines. It was at this defining moment that Saul's faith in God was placed on the back-burner of his heart. His confidence was in the fighting spirit of his fellow men. Indeed, many Israelites were more than likely excited to join in the victory dance over Geba, many may have even been eager to enlist in Saul's army, but once the Philistines arrived with a massive force to be reckoned with, their hearts melted in terror.
The road to ruin begins when we take our eyes off of Christ. How quickly your heart can melt in the midst of trials, when you forget that the Lord is your Strong Tower (Psalms 18:10)! Be strong in the Lord. Trust in His ways and power. The Psalmist declared, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God (Psalms 20:7).”
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