May the mumbling commence!
How do we engage the challenges of our day? Do we search for a human political or military leader? Do we say to this person, “Do all that you have in mind; I am with you heart and soul”? Do we say to this person, “Do whatever seems best to you”? In 1 Samuel 14, these are the words of the men of Israel in response to Jonathan and his father Saul respectively. Or do we, like the priest suggested in verse 36c, inquire of God?
At the beginning of the chapter, Israel had fled into hiding from the Philistines. Jonathan and his armor bearer went out on sortie to a Philistine outpost. Jonathan told his armor bearer, “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
Jonathan’s armor bearer replied, “Do all that you have in mind; I am with you heart and soul.” Jonathan suggested if the Philistines called them up, then the Lord had given them into the hands of Israel. They were overconfident and ready for defeat. When the Philistines saw them, they told them to come up so that they could teach Jonathan and his companion a lesson.
These two men stormed the outpost. Two against an entire outpost! Not exactly the numbers game that you would want when attacking! But they were fighting alongside the Lord. God shook the ground and sent panic into the Philistines ranks. Israel rallied from their hiding places, and the Philistines fled and struck each other with their swords.
Then, Saul uttered the fateful words recorded in verse 24, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” It seems that Saul was taking too much of the credit for the rout of the Philistines. This greed and violence and retribution caused the men to be faint – faint with hunger. Jonathan did not know of his father’s oath; so, when Jonathan saw some honey along the way, he ate of it.
The other men told Jonathan of his father’s oath. Jonathan disagreed with his father. Why not allow the blessings the Lord had given them along the way to sustain them and make the victory even greater?
When Saul wanted to finish the Philistines through the night, Israel said to him, “Do whatever seems best to you.” But the priest countered, “Let us inquire of the Lord.” What a novel idea for Saul, the impatient and blood thirsty! But the Lord did not answer.
Saul went into a tizzy. Someone had sinned and caused the Lord’s silence. Saul wanted to find out who sinned so that he could get on with destroying the Philistines. The sinner would forfeit his life – regardless of who it was. He wanted to strike while the iron was hot. Saul separated Jonathan and himself from Israel. Saul’s family was chosen, and then Jonathan was chosen.
When Jonathan confessed to disobeying his father’s command not to eat, Saul was furious. Saul was ready to kill his eldest son. Here we see the power of DABAR again. The words that Saul breathed were given life by the attitude that he kept. However, the other men had cooler heads; and cooler heads prevailed. They argued, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground; for he has worked with God today. (1 Sam 14:45b)"
Indeed, why would someone who had obviously worked with God be destroyed? Why would someone who had obviously benefited the people be destroyed? Saul relented of his vow and also stopped pursuing the Philistines. Saul’s change of heart makes me wonder if it was truly Saul who had sinned in his bloodlust. Maybe the refusal of God to answer had more to do with God telling Saul not yet.
May you and I wait with patience, enhance our perspectives, and accept the direction of the Lord.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
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