Jonathon's Faith in God
1 Sam 14:1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
A certain special day, Jonathan spoke to his armour bearer. An armour bearer was for the higher ranking soldiers, there duty was to carry the heavy armour and weapons for their master. They were very faithful. They bore a burden for the master, in the spiritual we also bear a burden for the master.
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, a bold idea, when all Israel was afraid Jonathon says let's go into the enemies stronghold. They were many, with the latest weapons, but Jonathon trusted the LORD. We don't do something foolish unless we are led by the LORD. Perhaps, he remembered other men of God who single handedly slew the enemy. Men like Samson:
Judg 15:15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.
Judg 15:16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
Or Shamgar, in the book of Judges:
Judg 3:31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
But he told not his father. Probably because he knew his father would not understand. Saul had lost God's anointing, whereas his son trusted in the God of Israel.
1 Sam 14:2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
1 Sam 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
Saul sits under a pomegranate tree with the priest of Shiloh. This was Ahitub, Ichobod's brother, the son of Eli's evil son Phineus. Ichabod was the name given to the son of Phineus from a despairing mother, meaning "God is departed." God was departing from Saul, as he took his ease. Meanwhile Jonathon, trusting in the LORD is going to the enemies garrison.
1 Sam 14:4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
1 Sam 14:5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
This was a narrow passage between two sharp rocks. A military man would see this as a place to give him an advantage in fighting.
1 Sam 14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
1 Sam 14:7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
Jonathon bravely trusted in the LORD, He was willing to be used to overcome the enemy. His armour bearer is in agreement. There is strength in agreement, especially when trusting the LORD.
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Prov 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Psa 18:46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Psa 18:47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
Psa 18:48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
1 Sam 14:8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
1 Sam 14:9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
1 Sam 14:10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
Samuel devices a test to see if God will deliver the Philistines.
1 Sam 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
1 Sam 14:12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
Such bold faith in a simple sign. Is our faith strong knowing all the promises of God?
1 Sam 14:13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
They were up on a hill, so Jonathon had to crawl to them. He would strike them down and the armour bearer would finish them. He had heard from God and went in His Spirit to conquer the enemy. When God says go, we go. It is important to know when this happens, and to obey him.
1 Sam 14:14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
1 Sam 14:15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
God went before them putting fear into their hearts. The earth trembled along with them. Have you ever been an earthquake? I remember the fear as a boy during an earthquake, picturing in my mind the earth opening up and falling into a pit. My dear Mom came to my rescue and I spent the night feeling safety in bed with my parents. Our homes should be the safest place for children, but sometimes the enemy is in the homes. God will bring victory over the enemies of His people if we trust him.
1 Sam 14:16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibber of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
From a distance Saul's watchman watch as the enemy destroys itself.
They were confused and fighting one another. Fear destroys a people, we should only fear God. Those who serve the wrong spirit will reap destruction. Compare this with the enemies who came against Israel in 2Chronicles 20:21-24. See how the LORD delivered his people.
They sent singers with praise first
2 Chr 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Chr 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
The LORD set ambush, fear and self destruction came over the enemy
2 Chr 20:23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
2 Chr 20:24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
1 Sam 14:17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
He only now sees the Jonathon, his son is missing. Was he concerned that another would get credit for this victory? Why did he not go to battle, perhaps because he no longer could hear God's voice?
1 Sam 14:18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
Would he repeat the error of Eli's day, taking the Ark into battle as a religious object"? Was not God already in the battlefield. Those without God's spirit trust in religious looking things, but do not know God.
1 Sam 14:19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
This means, “Stop seeking an answer from God with the urim and thummin,” which were held in a pouch in the priest’s breastplate. Saul said, I know now, I must fight while there is this opportunity. Forget the religious things, I have my answer. 1 Sam 14:20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
Saul finally follows Jonathon and God's Spirit into battle. He waited until a safe time, but he did go. Better to wait on God then to be ahead of him.
1 Sam 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
1 Sam 14:22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
I cannot help but compare this to the war in Iraq, which is still going on. President Bush trusting in God goes into battle, perhaps with Britain as the type of an Armour bearer, a trusted ally. When the battle is near victory, then those who were against the war climb aboard as if they were for it all the time. The weak, the cowardly, those of little faith come in when it seems to be a sure victory and they receive the praise with those of faith. In any great victory over evil, it is God who goes ahead to confuse the enemy. The battle is the Lord's. The God of Israel is the mighty God.
The LORD went before Israel to the promised land and will continue with them to overcome their enemies.
Deu 7:21 Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
Deu 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little:...
1 Sam 14:23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
The LORD saved Israel.
Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Psa 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psa 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
There are four types of people represented in this story. Let us look in the Spiritual in these.
Jonathon was a man of faith with a loyal servant. He trusted in God to deliver them from their enemy. He had an active faith seeking for solutions from God. He asked for a sign as a confirmation, then he went forth in bold faith, never doubting. He and his servant were one in battle.
Saul was at ease, trusting in his advisers. He trusted in God's priest until he could see the battle was being won. He tested the winds and then went forward into battle.
(1Sam 14:21-22)
The defectors and collaboraters were in the enemies camp. Not unlike the politicians who buddy up to the enemy and give away our resources. When their new friends were losing, then they became patriotic and joined in the battle.
The cowards and the fearful, were hiding, they went as unto Canada, perhaps forming peace rallies. When the battle was going in Israels favor, they joined in the fight, perhaps to receive the spoils.
The battle was the LORD'S he guided Jonathon and his servant to battle against the idolators. He confused the enemy even causing the earth to tremble. The victory was the LORD's. He went before the fighters against those who came against His covenant people.
Honey
1 Sam 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
What is Saul doing placing a curse on his troops? Because it is a fast, is it supposed to be spiritual?They feared Saul. This was about Saul ruling through threatenings. A fast is to be vountary.
Jonathon followed God's lead into battle and the army of Saul was to chase the confused enemy. We see here the difference in spirits. God leads his follower Jonathon, while his jealous father rules by threats and curses, destroying the joy of victory. In a church if their is a priest ruling with threats of the law, the people are in bondage. In the church Christ is the head, and he leads his people by the Spirit of truth. We have been saved from under the curse of the law. We are under the blood of Jesus.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Yes, they were still under the law, but even under the law God required faith. Trust in God through faith connected God to His people, then as in now. What Saul did was not in his area of authority, he was not a priest. Samuel was the spiritual head of Israel concerning matters of the law. Saul again transgressed the law, acting as a priest, placing those he ruled under bondage. Jesus spoke against the priests who imposed self made laws that were harmful.
Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after
their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
It was their own glory that they wanted from men, placing them under bondage. Evil men use others for their own gain in power or in earthly rewards. Saul had distressed his men. He was taking away their joy and placing them in bondage to his will. We should not be bound by any man, but serve the Lord in His freedom. Jesus brought liberty to his people.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
1 Sam 14:25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
God had provided honey, needed energy. They were chasing the enemy over mountains and were exhausted. A little honey would have supplied them needed energy. Where were they? In Canaan land, the promised land described by Moses.
Exo 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey;...
A little honey, the sweetness and goodness of God. We are to givers of his honey to others, bringing a boost of hope and helping others see more clearly.
Prov 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
1 Sam 14:26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
Saul, had a bitter heart of envy.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
They were forced into this oath, now honey drips, it must have been torture for them, so hungry, yet they were kept from the sweet honey. Satan does this, he tries to take the joy from all of God's blessings for us. He is a thief, do not give in to his lies. God wants to bless you, not to curse you.
1 Sam 14:27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
Jonathon had not heard any oath, he was Spirit led receiving God's good words of life and abundant mercy. He enjoyed blessing of honey.
Satan takes the beautiful things of God and makes them evil or he corrupts them. The good food he may block of our eating. The natural love of man and woman, he uses to hurt and to bring sorrow. Honey was available, but Saul kept them from the good of it. We are to be free in God to enjoy his natural blessings available to all.
Prov 24:13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
Prov 24:14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
1 Sam 14:28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
1 Sam 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
Was Jonathon betraying the trust in Saul, his father. Maybe, but he spoke the truth. The truth is always best.
1 Sam 14:30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
1 Sam 14:31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
1 Sam 14:32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
They did not keep the ceremonial laws by preparing meat by first draining the blood. Life is in the blood.
Deu 12:23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.
Deu 12:24 Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water.
Deu 12:25 Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
Obeying Saul's legalism, caused the people to disobey God's ordained law. Likewise, the Pharisees broke many laws in their rushing to condemn Jesus, yet they were careful to take the body down before Passover, to keep their law. Jesus was the passover lamb! They were unable to see, because they wanted glory and power for themselves. They did not worship God in Spirit and truth, instead they made their own traditions. Jesus rebuked the leaders for this.
Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Forced religious practices do not make the flesh any less sinful, the result of these rules would be to bring false pride or rebellion.
What did Christ on the cross change regarding imposed traditions?
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
The Jewish religion had bound it's people with many man made laws and ordinances to control the people. Those that were contrary to us, were nailed to the cross. Jesus had come born as a Jew to fulfill all the law, but not these. These were as bondage and were nailed to the cross to set them free.
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
We have liberty in Christ Jesus and are no longer bound to religious forms.
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
God is true and his word is true. And the truth shall keep you free. If we are beguiled, deceived by people with wrong ideas, it may start from a simple error.
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
We are not to be bound again to rules and regulations, the doctrines of men. Although we are to obey the laws. We must ask ourselves, does this action or thing glorify God and if I do this will it cause another to fall?
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
We are not to enforce the doctrines of men as if they were the commandments of God. Self-imposed religion is man reaching to God, trying to justify himself by keeping a list of rules. Christianity is God reaching down to man in love through Christ.
A person may do everything to appear right in man's eyes, but inwardly there is no new heart. It is Jesus Christ that makes the new man and it starts in the heart, we do not fake it, it is the work of God.
Don't let man imposed religion steal your joy. Taste the honey, taste and see the Lord is good.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1 Cor 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Offense
1 Sam 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
Saul sees the poeples faults, but not his own. In our lives we search our hearts for offenses, if another has offended, we should be able to share without hurts. Yet, hurts do come and trust is broken, this is not of God's spirit. We sin with words and words are said to cover sins, but only the Lord can heal a heart. First we must be aware that we have offended.
Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Let me talk about shepherds. A shepherd does not leave his sheep, but protects them, even giving his life for the sheep when an outside threat comes. It is becoming more and more difficult to know the wolves, because they wear sheep's clothing.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
A shepherd does not leave the sheep and does not destroy and tear down.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
1 Sam 14:34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
1 Sam 14:35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
Saul pointed out their sin, of eating meat that was not properly prepared, not in keeping with God's ceremonial laws for his people. It may well be that their sin was the result of Sauls order to eat nothing until sundown. (1Sam 14:24) It appears that Saul had provoked the people by his command.
Now, Saul takes the moral high road, seeking to have them prepare the meat in the correct way. Apparently his curse had lifted and it was after sundown. We must be careful to not put curses on others. One way we curse another is through words in anger. No matter how much we try to smooth over the anger with words of love, it has still caused damage. Anger usually is a result of pride. Anger at sin, is ok, Jesus was angry at sin. But, often anger is from the flesh reacting to protect oneself.
Saul builds an altar to make things right.
Biblical altars were generally structures of earth or of stones that had not been hewn . Sacrifices were offered on them. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places.
1 Sam 14:36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
Let's go after the Philistines; the people said, whatever you say we will obey. The priest spoke up, first let's inquire of God. We should always inquire of God before any decision is made. In the history of Israel, when they went to battle agaist the tiny nation of AI without consulting the Lord, they suffered defeat. Joshua rolls in the dust in humility seeking the Lord's direction.
Josh 7:10 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?
Josh 7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Josh 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
1 Sam 14:37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
The names Urim and Thummim mean “Lights and Perfections.” We aren’t sure what they were or how they were used. Most think they were a pair of stones, one light and another dark, and each stone indicated a “yes” or “no” from God. The High Priest would ask God a question, reach into the breastplate, and pull our either a “yes” or a “no.” (Guzik)
The answer was no. How do we seek God today? By feelings or appearances? That is not of God. The Holy Spirit confirms God's word. And, he leads us through spiritual discernment.
1 Sam 14:38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
Saul suspects there is sin, but he does not question himself as the source. He would see if someone in his army had sinned.
1 Sam 14:39 For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
Saul again makes a careless oath, not for God's honor, but his own. He even includes Jonathon in his oath, someone shall die. This time the troops said not a word, for they knew Jonathon had tasted of the forbidden honey, being unaware of his Father's oath. Saul was careless with his oaths, as King Herod was careless, costing the head of John the Baptist.
Mark 6:23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
Mark 6:24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
1 Sam 14:40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
1 Sam 14:41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
They used lots thrown, as dice to determine who was with guilt. Apparently this worked at this time in God's dealing with Israel. It is not for today, we do not look to fortunes or chance. The lot indicated the fault was with Saul and Jonathan.
1 Sam 14:42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
This should have ended this inquiry. All new that Jonathan was of an excellent spirit, brave in battle and a loyal son.
1 Sam 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
You have to admire Jonathans spirit. Although he had broken no law of God, he honored his father's will in obedience, even unto death if need be. This is the seem wonderful Spirit of our lord Jesus who prayed as he faced the cross:
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
1 Sa 14:44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
Saul, willing to justify ihis own silly oath was willing to kill his own son for his self loving pride. Saul was as the high priests willing to kill Jesus for their own self interests.
John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Satan will continue to steal, kill and destroy until we are with Jesus. Look at the fruits of a life, is there harmony or division. Has something come to steal your peace, are there good thoughts or thoughts of destruction. Do we run together to Jesus, or become separated and run from him?
1 Sam 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
Sometimes we, the people of God must stand up for what is right, even if it means opposing the earthly king. Jonathan had been led by God into a great victory, the people would not allow harm to come to him. Now, Sauls pride turns to envy, even against his own son. Yet would Saul himself obey God's commands? We find later that this would be his downfall. I have seen wicked men in power, acting as a god, but they themselves being accountable to no one, ignoring God, in time God would withdraw from him.
Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: ...
1 Sam 14:46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
All of this sidetracking, had allowed the Philistines to retreat unto their own place, but Saul would continue his battles.
1 Sam 14:47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
1 Sam 14:48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
Israel had defeated many lands through God's hand under King Saul.
1 Sam 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
These were son's who went to battle with Saul. All would eventually die in battle. Another son, Ishbosheth, was not mentioned, he was not in battle. The younger daughter, Michal would marry David. When Saul was seeking to kill David, they were separated for several years. She was remarried to Phati, (1Sam 25:44), but David afterwards reclaimed her as his lawful wife, (2Sam 3:13-16) but they were no longer of one accord. She was upset with him, when he danced before the return of the ark. They never had children, so David and Saul were not connected through children.
2 Sam 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
1 Sam 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
Abner, Saul's uncle would be the commander of Saul's armies. When David became king Abner sided with Saul's son Ish-bosheth, proclaiming him to be king.
1 Sam 14:51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
1 Sam 14:52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
This was foretold by Samuel.
1 Sam 8:11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
Saul was a king to fight the battles to free Israel from the threatening countries around them. He was self willed, placing his thoughts above God's thoughts. His oath almost cost Jonathon his life. He did do the religious things, he built an altar and inquired of God before battle. Saul's flaw would in not obeying God's commands. He was already loosing his anointing when he sacrificed offerings in place of Samuel. When we act apart from God, we lose out spiritually. Doing religious things is not enough. God wants to be one heart. If we are not of one heart, as David and Micah would not be, then there is no agreement and God cannot move through both of them. We must be of one heart with God and each other, in order to have his blessings and his presence.God is not divided, look at the fruits.
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