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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).”
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