Saul’s Slippery Slope (Part 6)
In 1 Samuel 13, Jonathan fought under his father’s direct orders, but in chapter 14, he chose to attack a Philistine garrison with only his armor-bearer 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 Philistine camp. The tide had turned, and Israel gained renewed vigor on the battlefield. In foolhardiness and flippancy, Saul commanded that no one should eat anything until they had wreaked vengeance on his enemies. His brash statement would prove costly, because in time, his entire army became weary and weak with hunger.
Not knowing of his father’s command, Jonathan ate some honey he found in the woods. Eventually, he found out about what Saul had said to the entire army and ended up criticizing such a command. After the army defeated the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, they were so exhausted that some of the men took whatever livestock they could find, butchered them, and started eating the uncooked, bloody meat. Saul responded to such actions by saying, “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 from his army, yet he still 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 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 overreaching of bounds by Saul believing he had the authority to erect an altar to God. More fallout would come.
That night he rallied the troops and told them to attack and destroy the rest of the Philistines while they still had a chance. Only one man, 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 who might have sinned against the Lord and caused His favor to turn from them. Once again, in foolish haste, Saul declared, “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 discovered that Jonathan had eaten 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 won a great victory if not for Jonathan’s courage. Jonathan did not die that day. The Israelites stopped 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 not to 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 between 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 toward the Lord by stating, “When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD” (ESV).
