Skip to main content

Saul's Slippery Slope: Part 6



Once again, Saul's son, Jonathan, was the first one to strike a blow to the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 13, he fought under his father's direct orders, but in chapter 14, he chose to attack a Philistine garrison with only his amorbearer by his side. While everyone else was hiding and biding time, Jonathan slew over twenty men. He then witnessed an earthquake that shook the region and caused a chaotic scene within the camp of the Philistines. Once it was established that the Philistines were in great confusion---some fought each other while others fled---then King Saul commanded the Israelites to attack them. The tides had turned and Israel gained renewed vigor on the battlefield. In fool-heartiness and flippancy, Saul commanded that no one would eat anything until they had reigned vengeance down on his enemies. His brash statement would prove to be costly , because in time, his entire army would become weary and weak with hunger.

Not knowing of his father's command, Jonathan ate some honey that he found in the woods. Eventually, he found out about what Saul said to the entire army and ended up berating and belittling such a demand. After the army defeated the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, they were so exhausted that some of the men just took what livestock they could find, butchered them, and started eating the uncooked, bloody meat! Some quickly told Saul what had happened to which he responded, “You have been unfaithful. Roll a large rock over to me now. Spread out through the troops, and tell them, 'Each of you, bring me your ox or your sheep, and butcher it here, and eat. But don't sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood in it (vs. 33-34 / GWT)."
He should have realized how foolish it was to demand something so difficult and unnecessary for his army, yet still he laid the full blame on those who committed such barbarism. He made them bring the animals to a makeshift altar so they could properly cook them and offer some to the Lord, because of the victory that day. This was the first time that he built an altar (vs. 35). How sad it is to see the fallout from his pretentious statement. Feeble souls, defiled hearts, and again, an over reaching of bounds in that Saul felt he had the authority to erect an altar unto God. Perhaps I'm dead wrong, but Saul might have invented that pragmatic statement, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”



More fallout would come. That night he rallied the troops together and told them to attack and destroy the rest of the Philistines while they still had a chance. Only one man, who was a priest, suggested that they seek God's counsel first (vs. 36). When Saul inquired of the Lord, he heard nothing. There was no divine confirmation, so they began to investigate over who might have sinned against the Lord and caused His favor to turn from them. Once again, in foolish haste, Saul declares, “I solemnly swear, as the LORD and Savior of Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan who did it, he must die (vs. 39 / GWT)." In time, it was found out that Jonathan had ate a little honey and broken his father's rash vow. Because of this, Saul told his own son that he was to die, but the entire Israelite army protested and reminded Saul that they would not have wrought a great victory if it had not been for Jonathan's courage. Jonathan did not die that day, the Israelites stopped from pursuing the Philistines, and Saul drew ever closer to foolish pride and manic madness.


So, what is the takeaway? If nothing else, we must realize how imperative it is to not rely on our fleeting emotions or faulty understanding (Proverbs 3:5-8) nor should we ever think that God would put us in a position where we can only choose over what's bad or what's worse. We can always walk in the light of His truth (1 Corinthians 10:13)! Finally, we must be careful not to blame others for the wounds we have caused ourselves. Proverbs 19:3 best summarizes Saul's impending attitude towards the Lord by stating, “When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD (ESV).”
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wanderers

One night I dreamed of a massive crowd aimlessly wandering through an empty town I tried to stop several people as they passed by But they paid me no heed, as If deaf and blind Finally I happened upon a somber, yet curious lad He asked me, “What brings you to the Town of Misled?” I said, “I'm not sure how I got here, nor for what reason.” “Well then” The boy smirked without hesitation “You're in good company alright, for we are all met with the same plight. Our vision is impaired, our understanding is empty. Indeed we are stuck in endless mediocrity.” Once more I looked around at all the hollow expressions Then stared back at the tattered boy with deep compassion “What can I do to help you and all of these poor souls? Perhaps some money for food, a strong education, and fine clothes?” The boy began to cry, while shaking his head “You don't get it sir, we already have plenty we possess. Our needs lie not in material wealth and f...
1 comment
Read more

Star Light

I remember, when I was a child, my brother and I wanted to camp out in our front yard. We even talked our friends into joining us. We begged our parents to let us sleep out under the stars without a tent, because it would not rain that evening. It was somewhat foolish, but we were not thinking about the insects, strong winds, or even the morning dew. We just thought it would be fun to sleep outside. I think we lasted a solid hour in the dark, but once the cold wind blew and the mosquitoes landed, our imagination dissipated and we ran back indoors. Though we didn't stay out long, I do remember the stars that night. They were unusually bright and seemed to crowd the sky more than any other night. I don't think I will ever “grow out of” being in awe over the beauty of stars. I don't believe King David did either. He wrote in Psalms 19, “ The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made. One day tells a story to the next. One night shar...
Post a Comment
Read more

FANATICS

 In Carthage, there has been a lot of talk lately over the High School's new Big Screen in the Football Stadium. It is one of the largest HS Football Screens in America. There was an interesting article about it on Yahoo sports. It costs roughly around $750,000. Statistically, around forty percent of people in Carthage claim to be Baptists (Not just Christian, but Baptist). Yet, I find it so amazing how many people here idolize sports, paticularly Baseball and Football. I am certainly not seeking to piously condemn the whole city. I enjoy many types of sports, but I pray my enjoyment and fun for them never turns to an ever-increasing fixation. Instead of the screaming fan on the sidelines whose face paint is slowly dripping off with a mixture of sweat, I consider myself to be the guy who gives a couple of approving grunts and simply tips his hat, when the game is over. What about you?...
Post a Comment
Read more