Pseudo-spirituality

1 Samuel 14:24-52

Good morning!  Today’s message is part of our series Prophet and King.  It is also very much like part 2 of a cliffhanger episode or movie.  Carl shared last week about the first half of I Samuel 14.  In this chapter, we saw the faith of Saul’s son Jonathan.

The scene is Saul and his men (now only 600 reduced from at least 3000) are near Gibeah.  At the beginning of chapter 14, it says that Saul was staying under a pomegranate tree at Migron.  Somehow in my mind, I envision a big tree with a tent of war beneath it.  In fact, pomegranates actually grow on a shrub tree.  The trees grow only to 30 feet tall at most.  Saul is not gathered beneath an enormous tree with his counselors.  He’s sitting under a little tree, the kind where you probably have to stoop down to get under it, the kind of place where you would expect to find a little kid, not the king of a nation.

Their enemies, the Philistines, are primarily encamped about 5 miles northeast of them in Micmash.  They have an enormous army in comparison, thousands of chariots and even more foot soldiers.  Many of the Israelites have fled out of fear into hiding in the surrounding areas (in caves and thickets, among the rocks, in pits and cisterns).  Others went so far as to cross the Jordan to perceived safety.  Fear of the enemy has eroded Saul’s forces down to only 600 soldiers.

In the midst of this situation, Jonathan leaves the camp at Gibeah, takes his armor bearer, and they scale a cliff to reach an outpost of the Philistines.  They did this in faith as they were only two men climbing up against at least twenty men who were likely better armed and better trained.  And indeed, God did deliver those enemies into the hands of Jonathan and his armor bearer despite incredible odds.  They had no element of surprise, they were likely physically drained from their rock climb, and they were impossibly outnumbered.  And yet, they were totally victorious.

In fact, this relatively small action (remember twenty soldiers fallen out of Philistine soldiers “as numerous as sand on the seashore”) started a rout of the entire Philistine forces.  Panic strikes the entire army, literally the entire army.  I Samuel 14:15 spells it out, “panic struck those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties.”  The ground shook.  It was a panic sent by God.

Sadly, Saul does not recognize this as the moment to send his forces to the battle despite his own lookouts reporting that the Philistine army was melting away in all directions.  Sometimes, we struggle with knowing what to do in a given situations, but in this case, Saul has two unmistakable pieces of decision making data.  1. The ground has shaken.  2. The enemy is in disarray and scattered.  There is only one “ground shaker,” and that is the Lord Almighty.  The enemy in a panic also seems excessive or disproportionate with merely the ground shaking.  Who can shake the confidence of men?  The Lord is the only one.

Instead, Saul spends time to find out who has left the camp.  Who knows how long that took, and it seems that Saul did nothing with that information once he had it.  Whatever it caused him to think or do, it was not recorded in Scripture.  Then, Saul calls a priest to inquire of God, probably to ask whether or not to attack.  But then, once the priest arrives and begins to ask God, Saul cuts him off and stops the priest deciding on his own that it is time to attack.

Verse 20 says that then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle.  They weren’t even ready for battle.  All the assembling and figuring out who was missing and then the inquiry of the Lord in the midst of absolute chaos in the enemy camp so great that they could hear the tumult in their own camp at Gibeah, miles away from Micmash, and they weren’t even ready to go to battle.

In spite of Saul, more than because of Saul, I Samuel 14:23 says, “the Lord rescued Israel that day.”  Even the Israelites who had gone into hiding began to join the battle and they chased the Philistines

Partly I wanted to share this back story so that we all have a clear picture of what is going on as the action continues in the coming passage.  Also, I want us to have an overview of Saul’s behavior through this critical time.

Let’s pray now as we go into our passage …

Lord God, we sometimes face uncertainty in our own lives, some here today are facing difficulty in trials, others are dealing with times of waiting, and some are experiencing pain and illness.  Whatever our situation in this world, You, O God, know it.  Help us to be patient in difficulty as well as waiting.  Show us what actions we need to take.  Give us the courage to live lives that glorify You and not ourselves.  Give us courage to take action at the right time and not to remain hidden when we should be engaged with others.  Teach us now from this passage of Your Holy Word.  All this we pray in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Let’s start reading now in verse 24 of chapter 14 …

Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.  –I Samuel 14:24

This statement by Saul again seems like a sudden statement.  Keep in mind all this is happening in one day.

1.     Saul sits under a shrub tree knowing full well that the enemy has amassed their forces nearby.

2.     After the ground shakes and lookouts report the Philistine army melting away in all directions, Saul gathers his men to find out who left.

3.     After finding out Jonathan and his armor bearer are gone, Saul calls for the priest to inquire of God assumedly to find out whether or not he should go to battle.

4.     Before hearing from God, Saul stops the priest.

5.     Saul belatedly orders his men to prepare for battle, and they disperse and re-assemble.

6.     After cancelling the priest’s request to God, Saul requires the people to take an oath.  “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening.”

7.     The army goes to battle finding the Philistines fighting against themselves.  Other Hebrews who had allied themselves with the Philistines previously switch sides back to the Israelites.  Other Israelites who were in hiding join the battle as well.

Carl described Saul’s leadership approach last week in this way … “bad leaders’ actions just seem to always be misguided and inappropriate, the wrong action at the wrong time.”  That fits Saul to a tee.  Wait when you should go.  Assemble without weapons when you should be getting prepared for battle.  Start to inquire of God, but then cancel that before you hear from Him or even form a question to Him.  Order the army to go without food as they go into battle.  Make and take an oath apart from God.

There is no other example like this in the Bible where a leader would order an army to fast when going into battle.  There is a good example of responding to difficulty in II Chronicles 20.  At that time, when Jehoshaphat was king in Judah, a vast army of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites are coming to attack them.  Jehoshaphat takes the following steps:

1.     Jehoshaphat is alarmed by his circumstances.

2.     He resolves to inquire of the Lord.

3.     He proclaims a fast for all Judah.

4.     The people come from all over Judah to an assembly.

5.     Jehoshaphat addresses the assembly and prays to God for guidance.

6.     The people wait (the king, all the men of Judah, their wives, and their little ones).

7.     The Spirit of the Lord speaks to Jahaziel a Levite rather than to the king or the high priest.

8.     Jahaziel addresses the king and the people on behalf of God.  “Do not be afraid, the battle is the Lord’s, go out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with You.”

9.     The king and people worship God.

10.  The next morning, they set out for the battle (presumably after a nice hearty breakfast).

Saul by comparison is just all over the map.  His actions don’t make sense.  Even what he says about the fast is odd.  “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!”  Saul’s attitude is back to the “God in a box” view.  There is nothing in this oath about God.  He’s focused on himself.  “If anyone eats before I have avenged myself on my enemies…”  Yikes!  What a terrible thing to say?  Where is God in Saul’s view?  In truth, God is not in Saul’s view of his circumstances.

Contrast that with Jonathan’s attitude in the first part of the chapter.  “Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.  Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving whether by many or by few … but if they say come up … that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hand … [after they said come up] the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”  (I Samuel 14:6, 10, 12)  Jonathan’s heart and hope were in the Lord.  Unlike his dad, he was focused on God, not himself.

Let’s continue with the passage …

The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.  –I Samuel 14:25-27

At this point, Jonathan has either caught up with the army or they’ve caught up with him.  Naturally, when you see some honey and you’re hungry and in need of nourishment, you would gladly eat some of it.  And, that’s exactly what Jonathan does.  Mmm!

Then one of the soldiers told him, "Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, 'Cursed be anyone who eats food today!' That is why the men are faint." Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?" –I Samuel 14:28-30

Well, I would say this is a brave soldier.  Keep in mind that Jonathan is second in command to the king.  He is also Saul’s key general now and the only other Israelite to be carrying a sword.  Despite that, our nameless soldier not only tells Jonathan about the oath, but he also explains what the effect of the oath has been:  the men are faint.  He is not rude or whiny about it, but he does not shy away from the truth either.

Jonathan responds with surprise and wisdom.  There is a consequence to his father’s rash oath.  There is trouble for the country as a result.  The victory is lessened because of this act.  That exemplifies the reality that Saul’s oath was not in accordance with God’s will.  The escape of the people’s enemies on this day would mean more fighting in the future.  In addition, Saul’s desire for vengeance against his enemies was reduced rather than increased by this oath not to eat.

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted. They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. Then someone said to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that has blood in it." "You have broken faith," he said. "Roll a large stone over here at once." Then he said, "Go out among the men and tell them, 'Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it.' " So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.  Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had done this. –I Samuel 14:31-35

As no surprise, the soldiers are exhausted after pursuing their enemies and going without food.  This range of pursuit from Mikmash to Aijalon is debatable as Aijalon is the name of both a town and a valley.  It could have been quite a ways, as much as 14 miles.  Whatever the distance, they could not pursue the Philistines any farther.  When there is a rout in battle, when an enemy is put on the run, then they must often abandon their supplies because that sort of thing is usually slow moving.  The victorious army then takes all the good things which the retreating army left behind.  When an army retreats so fast that they abandon their supplies, it also means that they won’t be able to attack again for a while because they must resupply before returning. 

In the Israelites’ desperately hungry state, the people begin eating the animals without draining the blood.  And possibly without cooking them?  Blech!

It is clear in the Law and even before that, all the way back to Noah and the time that God said that it was okay to eat animals.  Even though God gave the okay for eating animals, eating blood was something you just weren’t supposed to do.  The reason is that the life is in the blood.  Leviticus 17 then explains that God gives the blood of an animal with the purpose of making atonement for our life.  This speaks of the sacredness of all life as well as the need for substitutionary atonement.  There must by life given to redeem life.

Ultimately, this is fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus.  His blood is given to us by God with the purpose of atoning for our sins once and for all, eternal redemption.  We no longer need to sacrifice animals in a symbol of forgiveness.  Our forgiveness in Jesus is complete.

In today’s passage though, we are in the middle of the Old Testament and the Israelites are living under the Law.  Eating the blood is forbidden for them. In fact, Scripture says that the only place that Israelites should slaughter an animal was at the Tent of Meeting.  Leviticus 17:3-4 says this:

Any Israelite who sacrifices an ox, a lamb or a goat in the camp or outside of it instead of bringing it to the entrance to the tent of meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD in front of the tabernacle of the LORD—that person shall be considered guilty of bloodshed; they have shed blood and must be cut off from their people.  Leviticus 17:3-4

It turns out the word sacrifice is literally to slaughter or to kill, so in the New King James Version it is translated like this.

Whatever man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, [is guilty].  Leviticus 17:3 (NKJV)

One of the main reasons for this was so that people wouldn’t be sacrificing animals to false gods.  Thinking about how this relates to me, I thought about the blessing I usually ask before a meal.

I would imagine that most of us say a prayer of thanks when we eat.  That’s my primary thought when praying for a meal.  We know that the blood of animals does not bring about the forgiveness of sins.  However, there is a symbolism in all blood of the life that has been given by God to every living thing.  After reading this, I believe I will think differently when I am praying before I eat a meal where meat is served.  Not only “thank You God for the sacrifice of this animal for our sustenance,” but also “thank you God for the sacrifice of your Son for our salvation.”

Saul takes action here when the people’s sin has been pointed out to him.  This action seems to agree well with the idea that the Israelites were accustomed to slaughtering the animals in a central location of worship.  Based on Saul’s behavior up to this point, I don’t think we can expect he would know the Scriptures well enough to take such a decisive action like this unless it was something familiar to him.

Saul said, "Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive." "Do whatever seems best to you," they replied. But the priest said, "Let us inquire of God here." So Saul asked God, "Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel's hand?" But God did not answer him that day. Saul therefore said, "Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today. As surely as the LORD who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die." But not one of them said a word.  –I Samuel 14:36-39

So, it is likely still night time after the day of battle and pursuit.  The people were ready to follow Saul, but the priest recommends seeking God.  Saul’s patience again is put to the test.  God does not answer according to Saul’s timeline.  However, God withholding an answer is an answer.  Saul wanted to know if he should go.  No answer is the same as getting “no” or at least, “not yet,” as an answer.

It is interesting that Saul connects God’s silence with sin.  Scripture does not support that God’s silence is always due to sin.  God can be silent to grow our faith or someone else’s faith (II Kings 4) or because He is using the silence to work (Job, Psalm 22:2) or because the subject is hidden for a time.

The last words of Saul are in fact another oath on top of the first one.  “As surely as the Lord lives …”  Let’s read the next portion of the passage, and then talk about oath making and taking.

Saul then said to all the Israelites, "You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here." "Do what seems best to you," they replied. Then Saul prayed to the LORD, the God of Israel, "Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault, respond with Thummim." Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared. Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son." And Jonathan was taken. Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die!" Saul said, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan." –I Samuel 14:40-44

It is interesting, but we don’t know what the Urim and Thummin were.  Apparently, they were used to find yes/no or either/or answers from God.  They were likely stones or tiles which were kept in the breast plate of the ephod or uniform that the high priest wore.  The breast plate was called the breast plate of judgment or decision.  Perhaps, they were similar stones of different colors where one color meant yes and the other no.  God is able to work in such a way, and it says in Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”

I think this passage really highlights why it is wise not to make oaths in general, and why it is critical not to make oaths carelessly.  Jesus said in Matthew 5:34-37 do not swear at all (or do not make oaths) but simply let your yes be yes and your no be no.

Saul made the people take a binding oath.  He also spoke it in general terms.  “Cursed be anyone who eats food today.”  The oath didn’t distinguish between those who had heard it and those who hadn’t.  That seems pretty unwise.  He also made the oath knowing that his own son wasn’t present since he had taken roll call during the Philistines pandemonium.

Sometimes when we want something so badly even when it’s contrary to what God wants for us, He will let us have it, or some of it, so that we can realize why it was the wrong thing to do.  Saul even seems to fail this test.  He does not repent at this point, but instead seems willing to kill his own son.  In fact as his attitude is unchanged, he again invokes an “oath formula” there in his last words.  “May God deal with me be it ever so severely if you do not die, Jonathan.”

Honestly, I think this oath could also have been nullified in another way.  Since Saul made the oath based on himself, “Till I avenge myself on my enemies,” Saul could have been put to death and spared his son.  That’s what Jesus did for us.  He died even though we were guilty.  However, this thought never occurs to Saul.

Instead, Saul is becoming a king “such as all the other nations have.” (I Samuel 8:5) He is egocentric.  In his mind, he is the center of Israel.  Others are not to act apart from his rule. 

But the men said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die--he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God's help." So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death. –I Samuel 14:45

Thankfully, Saul’s soldiers intervene.  They say, “Look!  The guy who is seeking and following the Lord is not going to be put to death particularly because we plainly see that God is at work here through him.”  Jonathan is not willfully sinning, and the people rescued Jonathan.

This is a remarkable outcome.  Just like the brave soldier who talked to Jonathan about the oath in the first place.  The army comes between the king and his judgment and they rescue Jonathan.  This can be a good reminder to us to speak up when we see someone being taken advantage of even if we don’t think we have the authority to bring about a rescue.  The men rescued Jonathan with their words, nothing else.

Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land. After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them. –I Samuel 14:46-48

Saul did not pursue the Philistines in opposition to the Lord.  So, that was good.  And, their defeat did result in their removal from Israel.  This is now the time where Saul fully assumes his rule as king.  He had been named the king.  He had been the commander and chief of the military.  But, it appears that he now sees himself as the king.  For all Saul’s many faults, we cannot say that he is a coward.  Yes, we see that he has his fears, but he does fight continuously against the enemies of Israel.  Not only that, he is often victorious over them.  This list covers all the surrounding countries:  Moab and the Ammonites on the eastern border, Edom and the Amalekites to the south, Zobah to the north, and the Philistines to the west.  And there will be more about the Amalekites next week.

Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal. His wife's name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul's army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul's uncle. Saul's father Kish and Abner's father Ner were sons of Abiel. All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service. –I Samuel 14:49-52

Our passage concludes with an overview of Saul’s family.  It is gives the appearance of the closing of a story.  Thus ends the reign of Saul.  I think we might wish that the story ended here for Saul because things will get far worse for him and his family as a result of his continuing sins.

Saul continues to act as the king and builds his army, taking the best, the strongest and bravest, to serve.

In summary, here are some thoughts from this passage which I hope you can find ways to apply in your own lives.

1.     Keep our eyes open and see what God wants to do.  Sometimes we won’t know clearly, but sometimes we need only to open our eyes. (v. 15-16, the ground shook, the army melted away, the Lord sent panic to the Philistines)

2.     We have time to inquire of the Lord. (II Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat’s example; v. 6-12 Jonathan’s example)

3.     We need to pay attention to where we have our focus:  on God or on ourselves.  (Jonathan v. 6, 10, 12; Saul v. 24)

4.     Speak the truth without fear.  (The soldier to Jonathan and Jonathan in return, v. 28-30)

5.     We should always be thankful for the sacrifice of Jesus, His blood. (do not take the blood without worship, v. 34)

6.     We should not make or take oaths apart from God’s clear direction. (Matthew 5:33-37)

7.     Jesus is the one who has fulfilled the covenant between us and God.  (unlike Saul who was willing to put Jonathan to death, v.44)

8.     Words can save.  (soldiers speak up for Jonathan, v.45)

The idea that words can save brings other verses to mind. 

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” –Romans 10:13-15

We met a new friend at Brookdale yesterday.  His name is Jeff.  Unfortunately, he has had a stroke.  He is a missionary and has served in a variety of places around the world.  The reason why I mention him in relationship to this verse is his salvation story.

While working among lepers in Korea, he met a leper with no hands and no legs.  The man would literally drag himself along the ground to get from place to place.  This man came up to Jeff and said to him in Korean, “Do you know Jesus?”  Just this simple question had a profound effect on Jeff.  From that point, Jeff wanted to know the Jesus that would make that Korean man who was suffering through such a debilitating handicap want to share Christ with him.

I have often thought I needed to be prepared with deep arguments when I share my faith with someone.  In reality, we only need a few words together with the love of Christ.  And in Jeff’s case, the simple question, “Do you know Jesus?” was all that was needed to propel him into the loving arms of Jesus.

So, we can end there with two questions:  1.  Do you know Jesus? and 2. Do you know someone to whom you can ask that question?

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice.  Show us what we need to do with the limited time and resources we have.  Help us to follow You faithfully, keeping our focus on You, speaking the truth.  Help us to use our words to see people saved.  Send us where You want us to take Your Word.  We ask all these things in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.