Written by: Kate Hillman

1 Samuel 14 v 24-27
The men of Israel were miserable that day because Saul had made an oath for all of them. He had said, “No one should eat food before evening and before I finish defeating my enemies. If he does, he will be cursed!” So no Israelite soldier ate food.
Now the army went into the woods, where there was some honey on the ground. They came upon some honey, but no one took any because they were afraid of the oath. Jonathan had not heard the oath Saul had put on the army, so he dipped the end of his stick into the honey and lifted some out and ate it. Then he felt better.

Notes
The previous chapter saw the Israelites triumph over the mighty Philistine army thanks to lots of divine intervention! Although Jonathan’s courage and faith is reported it is clear from the writer’s words “So the Lord rescued Israel that day…” (14:23) that victory is thanks to God and not to the muddled Israelite army under the command of Saul. His foolishness and unsuitability to be King is beginning to be shown in today’s reading. 

A bit of background information!
The kingship debate had caused great tension as Samuel had felt that such an appointment meant a rejection of God as the true King. However a strong leader was required to draw the tribes of Israel together in order to defeat the Philistines. Although men from the tribes fought in some battles Saul needed to adopt guerrilla warfare tactics to stand a hope against the strength of the Philistines. For this he used a smaller professional army as it was better than lots of amateur volunteers! So much for uniting the tribes together and keeping their loyalty! Some scholars argue that he taxed his people to pay for this – I can’t imagine it went down too well. Although a good move militarily he was distancing himself from those he was meant to be uniting!

1 Samuel 14 v 28-30
Then one of the soldiers told Jonathan, “Your father made an oath for all the soldiers. He said any man who eats today will be cursed! That’s why they are so weak.”
Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the land! See how much better I feel after just tasting a little of this honey! It would have been much better for the men to eat the food they took from their enemies today. We could have killed many more Philistines!”

Notes
I wouldn’t pretend to know much about combat other than dealing with a two-year-old’s occasional temper tantrums but it seems to me rather stupid to deny your army food before battle! I refuse to take my husband shopping when he’s hungry as he’s not very amenable! It was hardly the best way to earn loyalty, trust and respect! Saul’s army is clearly distressed by this silly curse and, as Jonathan observes, Saul is making trouble for them rather than contributing to their victory. To refuse them a feast may have been wise but to refuse the hungry food seems cruel. A wise leader cares for the well being of those under him/her. Whilst leaders may have to make difficult or unpopular decisions sometimes such choices should be out of necessity or for the long-term good and not merely as a way to exercise power. 

Who are you in authority over? As Christians it’s even more important that we lead with kindness and care. Jesus’ model of leadership was servanthood and submission. In this passage Jonathan’s common sense approach and his empathy with the army highlight his leadership potential. Saul’s need to back up his prohibition with a curse and an oath show his weakness. 

Think about those you lead. Whose way of leadership are you modelling?

1 Samuel 14 v 31-35
That day the Israelites defeated the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon. After that, they were very tired. They had taken sheep, cattle, and calves from the Philistines. Now they were so hungry they killed the animals on the ground and ate them, without draining the blood from them! Someone said to Saul, “Look! The men are sinning against the LORD. They’re eating meat without draining the blood from it!”
Saul said, “You have sinned! Roll a large stone over here now!” Then he said, “Go to the men and tell them that each person must bring his ox and sheep to me and kill it here and eat it. Don’t sin against the LORD by eating meat without draining the blood from it.”
That night everyone brought his animals and killed them there. Then Saul built an altar to the LORD. It was the first altar he had built to the LORD.

Notes 
The Israelite soldiers must have been exhausted and in great need of food following their defeat of the Philistines that day. Jonathan had predicted that their hunger would cause trouble. We are created to need sustenance and we don’t work as efficiently without it. As one scholar writes “Daily work cannot be done without daily bread which our father in heaven graciously gives us”. Had the army not had to stop so quickly to eat, the slaughter would have been even greater and they would not have so easily disregarded their food laws? 

I wonder whether Saul recognised his own part as the men killed their animals by way of atonement for the wrong they had done. If he’d allowed them to eat earlier they would have had the presence of mind to prepare the food as they were supposed to rather than merely gorging themselves out of sheer hunger. Saul’s foolish actions had led his people into sin and now his repentance led them back to a right relationship with God.

Do you receive your daily bread? 
Exercise. Sleep. Food. Relaxation. Relationships. Fellowship. Prayer. Worship. Work.
What do you need to carry out your daily work efficiently?

In our crazy world that never sleeps do you look after yourself well enough to do the work God has for you? As today’s reading shows we need to look after our earthly bodies to keep a balanced and measured mind. 

1 Samuel 14 v 36-41
Saul said, “Let’s go after the Philistines tonight and rob them. We won’t let any of them live!”
The men answered, “Do whatever you think is best.”
But the priest said, “Let’s ask God.”
So Saul asked God, “Should I chase the Philistines? Will you let us defeat them?” But God did not answer Saul at that time. Then Saul said to all the leaders of his army, “Come here. Let’s find out what sin has been done today. As surely as the LORD lives who has saved Israel, even if my son Jonathan did the sin, he must die.” But no one in the army spoke.
Then Saul said to all the Israelites, “You stand on this side. I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.”
The men answered, “Do whatever you think is best.”
Then Saul prayed to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Give me the right answer.”
And Saul and Jonathan were picked; the other men went free.

Notes
One of the most amazing things about being a Christian is being able to pray. Have you ever really dwelled on how truly wonderful it is? We are able to call on God anytime, in any place, about anything and know that he hears and cares about what we’re going through! WOW! I look back over my life and can re-call many answers to prayer – some big, important issues and some small things that mattered greatly at the time. Answers to prayer really remind us of the relationship that we have with a living Jesus who impacts our everyday lives.

So what about when God doesn’t seem to answer prayer? In our reading today the writer tells of how the priest and Saul asked God for guidance. Rather than directing them we are told that ‘...God did not answer Saul at that time’. 

Now what? I wonder if you’ve ever felt that divine guidance has been in short supply. What do you do then? As the it says in Jeremiah 29v.12 ‘”Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you”.’ 

God’s timing is perfect even when our lives are a mess. I’ve always been told that God answers pray with either a ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘not yet’. The ‘yes’ is wonderful, the ‘no’ can be very painful but the ‘not yet’ is frustrating and may cause you to doubt you’ve been heard. You have – God assures us of that in the bible. If all you get is silence remember that God does have His hand on your life. One day you may look back and understand but you might not, as we’ll only fully understand His great plan when we join Him in heaven.

1 Samuel 14 v 42-46
Saul said, “Now let us discover if it is I or Jonathan my son who is guilty.” And Jonathan was picked.
Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”
So Jonathan told Saul, “I only tasted a little honey from the end of my stick. And must I die now?”
Saul said, “Jonathan, if you don’t die, may God punish me terribly.”
But the soldiers said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die? Never! He is responsible for saving Israel today! As surely as the LORD lives, not even a hair of his head will fall to the ground! Today Jonathan fought against the Philistines with God’s help!” So the army saved Jonathan, and he did not die.
Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and they went back to their own land.

Notes 
Jonathan wasn’t one for taking the easy way out. He confesses to the crime when he could have easily used ignorance of the law as his defence. Saul sentences Jonathan with an angry curse. Jonathan isn’t trying to deny or hide the truth, he just thinks it’s a bit rough that he has to die for it. Perhaps Jonathan was aware of the blind fury festering in his father and therefore realised that reason would be lost here. As one scholar comments about this reading “It is as brave to yield in some cases as it is in others to fight”.

Being a mother has taught me a great deal about picking my battles! Those of you that have contact with toddlers will know how stubborn they can be. I am continually learning to make a stand on the things that are going to matter long term and relax about those things that aren’t. I could do battle with Joshua (my toddler) about many more things but what good would it do to confront him over everything? Equally I have a responsibility to love, guide and discipline him in order that he grows up to be a responsible person. It’s an on-going challenge!

In your own circumstances do you know when it’s important to make a stand and when it’s right to remain silent?

1 Samuel 14 v 47-48
When Saul became king over Israel, he fought against Israel’s enemies all around. He fought Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the king of Zobah, and the Philistines. Everywhere Saul went he defeated Israel’s enemies. He fought bravely and defeated the Amalekites. He saved the Israelites from their enemies who had robbed them.

Notes 
Wars aren’t a modern phenomenon, they raged in Old Testament times as they do today. Many of us are fortunate enough to have no first-hand knowledge of war and its day-to-day implications despite the state of the world we live in. 

If we live in comfortable, peaceful surroundings it may be hard to believe that, as Christians, we are in a battle. It may be a spiritual battle but it’s very real. Apathy, comfort and disbelief about the battle’s existence are among the enemy’s greatest weapons. You’ll often find that those Christians who have the least materially have the greatest spiritually and are the bravest soldiers with the strongest armour! 

Jesus won the victory for us on the cross so we’re on the winning side. This shouldn’t make us complacent though for there is much work to be done before the battle ends with Jesus’ return.

Do you know what role you play in God’s battle plan. Have you asked Him? 
Are you a feared mighty warrior or are you hiding at the back trying to avoid being seen? Remember God would never ask you to do anything that you couldn’t do in His strength – he even tells you how to put on your armour in Ephesians Chapter 6!

1 Samuel 14 v 49-52
Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. His older daughter was named Merab, and his younger daughter was named Michal. Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
All Saul’s life he fought hard against the Philistines. When he saw strong or brave men, he took them into his army.

Notes
There is no doubting Saul’s greatness as a military leader. He fought and won many battles and defended Israel from her enemies despite the ongoing struggle with the might of the Philistine army. Things were not so good closer to home. As we have seen his relationship with his own son Jonathan was very troubled.

Many great people; pop-stars, footballers, writers, actors, politicians etc. have shone at their chosen profession but had rocky relationships with family members. Actresses Jennifer Aniston and Meg Ryan have no contact with their mothers following unhealed rifts. I don’t know the circumstances but isn’t it sad that past hurts are left to grow and remain unresolved to the extent that there’s no longer a relationship at all.

How are your family relationships? Is there unresolved anger bubbling away under the surface or are hurts resolved and forgiven? Is there anyone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? God calls us to love others and there’s nowhere better to start than at home.


word-on-the-web uses the Scripture text taken from the Youth Bible, New Century Version (Anglicised Edition) copyright 1993 by Word Publishing Milton Keynes