But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? For from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die. (verse 45)
Message: Saul's Growing Alienation
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: In the first part of Chapter 14, rather than Saul doing what he was tasked to do, defeat the Philistines, his son Jonathan instead initiated the defeat. Saul eventually joined in, but there was nothing in his joining that spoke to the Lord doing it. Meanwhile Jonathan went forward mentioning the need for the Lord to work for them.
In verse 24, Saul makes mention that all men are cursed if they eat before evening and before he has the opportunity to avenge himself, until he can inflict harm himself. They came upon honey but no one ate of it, out of fear of the oath. But Jonathan didn't hear and took the honeycomb. The people saw and warned him.
The people wanted to eat as they were obviously hungry because of the command Saul had given to not eat until he could get his way. So they took the spoil (oxen, sheep, calves) and ate it oil, even the blood. But Saul stepped in and told them to not sin against the Lord by eating blood. The people did as he asked. "And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord (verse 35)."
Then Saul wanted more of the Philistines and sought to "go down after the Philistines by night and take spoil among them until the morning light." But the priest (Ahiah) said, "Let us draw near to God." Let us first seek the Lord. He had just built an altar and then he starts to go off on his own without consulting the Lord. The good news is in verse 37 he inquires of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines?" He has learned. "But He did not answer." Thus, Saul believes a sin has been committed. If there is something impeding the opportunity, then a sin must be occurring. Interesting. Pray and no answer then it must be sin. Or maybe it could be sin.
Thus, they investigate. It is revealed that because of Jonathan having the honey that Saul is ready to kill even his own son, though he did not know about the oath. Saul is shown again here to be rash. Saul adds to the oaths and then puts himself against his son for the people to decide.
Saul couldn't see his own sin. Rather than looking inward to himself, he guessed the sin was outside of him. Saul had a vengeance about him. He did things in a rash way. Even when he consulted the Lord, he was unwilling to see the log in his own eye (Matthew 7:3-5). Saul did not live a consistent life of following the Lord.
Summary: Saul goes back and forth between his own way and seeking the Lord. He has to be reminded to speak to the Lord prior to making a decision. His decisions cause trouble among many.
Promise: From Tabletalk, "When we find ourselves in difficult situations, we should take stock of our circumstances and search our hearts. Not all trouble is due to our personal sin, but much of it can be."
Prayer: O Lord, your ways are right and true and I need to lean on You every step of every day. As I engage in conversations with people, direct me. Search my heart Lord. If there be anyway in me that is not glorifying and pleasing to You, let me see it, take stock of it, and seek to change. Help me O Lord. Help me to walk in Your ways. Deliver people over to You so that they see their sin. Keep me strong against the schemes of the devil and those that thwart your Ways.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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