1 Sam 14:1-23 — Jonathan Defeats the Philistines
1 Sam 14:24-52 — Saul’s Rash Vow
1 Sam 15 — The Lord Rejects Saul
1 Sam 16:1-13 — David Anointed King
1 Sam 16:14-23 — David as a Servant of Saul
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
We continue the story of Saul slipping away from God’s favor through acts that appear to be wise in Saul’s eyes, but greatly displease the Lord (and Samuel). In this passage, Jonathan proves himself faithful and cunning as he slips into a Philistine outpost and “killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre” (1 Sam 14:14), about the size of our yard in Montgomery! The Philistines begin to panic. Saul’s lookouts saw this and he decided to act. At first, he called the priest to “bring the Ark of God” (1 Sam 14:18), but then decides he can handle things himself and tells the priest, “Withdraw you hand” (1 Sam 14:19). Saul’s small contingent attacked the Philistines, but the victory is attributed to the Lord for His hand, “the Lord saved Israel” (1 Sam 14:23).
Saul continues to seek his own advice and continues to make mistakes. From withholding food from the soldiers to ignoring God’s command, Saul fails again and again. “But I did obey the Lord” says Saul (1 Sam 15:20), yet Samuel reminds him he did not follow all the instructions. God demands much of His leaders, mostly that they listen and obey! Samuel replies, “to obey is better than sacrifice…and arrogance like the evil of idolatry” (1 Sam 15:22-23).
Through chapters 14 and 15 we see Saul falling away because of his independent actions. I pray that I would learn from his arrogance, from his ignorance and lean only on God’s will for my life. Throughout Proverbs we read about the plans of men versus the wisdom of the Lord…Saul proved to be unwise and unfit to be king, though he was chosen. This is a lesson I read as a stern warning: though one is chosen, God is God, we must not choose the way that appears right in our own eyes, we must be faithful to the Lord.