READ: 1 Samuel 13 and 14
In these chapters we begin to
see the downfall of Saul. Though he started out well, he begins to take matters
into his own hands. In chapter 12, Samuel gave a warning to the people: If you
and your king fear the Lord and obey Him, all will be well, but if you or your
king rebel against the Lord’s commands, the Lord will be against you. The
latter option is what we see starting to happen in these next few chapters. Two
acts of disobedience sandwich a great victory over the Philistines.
In chapter 13, an important
event is recorded: instead of waiting for Samuel to meet him at Gilgal and
perform a specific sacrifice, Saul does it himself. At first glance, this may
seem like a rather harmless blunder, but certainly God saw a wicked heart
behind the action because the result is severe: Saul’s kingship will end. When
confronted with his rash action, Saul offers a defense without showing any sign
of repentance. He brushed his act of disobedience off as good sense and
personal piety. One commentator said of this: “Men destitute of inward piety often lay great stress on the outward
performances of religion.” In other words, religious people whose hearts
are not truly devoted to God often feel the need to make a big deal about their
religious actions. This is what the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were guilty of as
well – making themselves appear holy when their hearts were actually hard. This
is the kind of heart that God saw when He looked at the man whom he had chosen
as Israel’s king. God had been so willing to use him, but Saul would not walk
the way that God was walking.
Chapter 14 tells the story of
a great victory over the Philistines under the leadership of Saul’s son,
Jonathan. While Saul is beginning his decline (further revealed in this story),
his son Jonathan is exalted as a strong and godly leader. This story truly is
an incredible one. Jonathan is a man of faith. Putting full trust in the Lord’s
ability to win a battle with many or with few, Jonathan and his armour-bearer
instigate an attack, killing 20 Philistines on their own! The Lord Almighty
joined the battle, throwing the Philistines into confusion so that they turned
against one another! “So the LORD saved
Israel that day” (14:23)!
Meanwhile, Saul had made a rash vow earlier that day, cursing anyone who ate
anything all day. It was a stupid vow, since he hadn’t sought the Lord in it
and it appeared to have no value. The men were fighting hard and food could
have helped them in battle. What is more, because they were so hungry at day’s
end, they slaughtered oxen and ate meat along with the blood, which was
unlawful according to God’s law. When Saul
learns that Jonathan ate during the time he had called a curse, he readies
himself to kill his son! Jonathan is only spared because the people intervene.
Saul appears to only be
getting worse, and acting more according to his own will and less according to
God’s. Jonathan, on the other hand, is very different from his father. Willing
to seize opportunities and follow the Lord boldly, he is a picture of
redemption in the midst of Saul’s downfall.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. What
differences do you see between Saul and Jonathan? What encourages you from what
you read in your Bible today?
2. Saul
was more concerned about his outward appearance than his heart. Is this true
about you in any way? Ask God to search your heart and to cleanse you of any
unrighteousness so that you can walk in full confidence with Him today.
3. What
opportunities are standing before you today? Like Jonathan, will you put your
faith in the Lord’s mighty power and seize your opportunities today? Spend some
time thankfully declaring who God is. Then ask Him how you can walk out in
faith and boldness today.
