(1) The word, panic, was used twice to describe the Philistines:
14:19a While Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistines’ camp was becoming greater and greater.14:20 Saul and all the army that was with him assembled and marched into battle, where they found the Philistines in total panic killing one another with their swords.
(2) The battle was turned over because of the help of the LORD
14:23 So the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle shifted over to Beth Aven.
The army of Israel did not start this turn over. The watchmen looked on as the (Philistines) soldiers seemed to melt away v.16. Before Saul asked the priest to bring the ephod/ark over to inquire the Lord the panic of the Philistine's camp broke out v.18-19.
In other words the LORD delivered Israel with He Himself as the LORD of hosts. As a matter of fact, in the following passage, Saul was proved to be not fitting to be their leader.
(3) The failure of Saul
Both the soldier and Jonathan disagreed with Saul's cursing. Twice, the Scripture said that the army was tired v.28 and v.31. Jonathan said, “My father has caused trouble for the land v.29."
14:30 Certainly if the army had eaten some of the enemies’ provisions that they came across today, would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”
Also, because of their tiredness they rushed to eat the meat and ate blood (which was prohibited by the law) v.31-33.
Reflections:
Saul disobeyed God and offered the sacrifice before Samuel came because he saw that the remaining army started to leave him. He did not trust God that He is able to deliver them even with the smaller size of his army. Now, what happened before his own eyes proved that he was wrong. God could turn the battle over without Saul. Sometimes, we are like Saul. We thought we have to have something, or someone to help us, e.g. money. We depend on those things so much that we do not trust God can work without any of those help.
Saul made the army agree to the oath of not eating. Even with the winning of the battle, the bad policy caused lesser extent of the victory and the bad policy caused people to sin. Do we also see too many examples of these bad policies in our government? Bad leadership and their policy just disappointed us.
2024
v.16-23
bright spots
1. The word, "Look!" repeated twice in Heb. v.16, 17, 20.
v.16 Saul's watchmen were surprise to see that the P soldiers melted away in all directions.
v.20 When Saul mustered the troops they were surprise to find out that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there
v.20 When Saul and all the army matched into battle they were surprise to see the P were in total panic killing one another with their swords.
2. Saul was trying to inquiring the LORD (through the Ephod? v.18) but he then realized that it was not even necessary v.19. The sign was obvious enough that God had already started to do something among his enemies.
3. The traitors and the run-away Israelites all came back and joined "Saul and Jonathan." And they pursued their enemies in battle v.22,, which was a clear indication of the work of God v.23.
Reflections:
The Sovereignty of God was clearly seen. He caused the fear among the P v.15. Israelites were just at the receiving end. If there was any human factor, it would be the faithful Jonathan. Certainly not Saul. When the Israelites re joined the army they were doing that because of Jonathan (at least partially).
The Sovereignty of God was clearly seen. He caused the fear among the P v.15. Israelites were just at the receiving end. If there was any human factor, it would be the faithful Jonathan. Certainly not Saul. When the Israelites re joined the army they were doing that because of Jonathan (at least partially).
Am I a leader like Saul? Do not believe in God and do not know what God is doing? When there is any success in my team I am surprise what is going on?
Pray that I will be like the faithful Jonathan. Focus my energy and time in fighting the battle not buying cloth and food, etc.
24-35
Bright spots
1. The cause & effect
Cause: Saul made the army agree to an oath, v.24, the army was afraid of the oath v.26, a strict oath v.28
Effect: the army was hard pressed v.24, the army was tired v.28, they became very tired v.31
Potential lost: They could have slaughter more P v.30
Indirect effect: the army sinned against the LORD by eating food with blood because they were too tired v.32-33
2. The interpretation of Saul's oath
Jonathan said Saul has caused trouble for the land v.29 or for the country (NIV)
3. The comment of the writer to Saul's altar for the LORD
This was the 1st altar he built v.35.
the “first time” he had done so (v.35), probably a negative comment directed at Saul’s lack of piety
Reflections
As a leader people is unavoidable to make mistake, but Saul did not realize his own mistake. His son did. He thought he had made better invasion into the P's land, but he did not see the tiredness of his army. On the other hand, his son saw that. Lastly, he seemed to be pious to point out the breaking of covenant by the people, but the writer's of his 1st altar told us otherwise.
Saul seemed to live in his own dream. Am I? Do I have the correct evaluation of myself? Of the reality or the people around me? And of my own piety?
Audrey
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