Scripture to Read: 1 Samuel 13–14
In 1 Samuel 13, King Saul faced conflict with the Philistines. Saul assembled an army, but most of the soldiers lacked swords and spears because the Philistines controlled metalworking. Saul’s son, Jonathan, led a successful raid against a Philistine outpost, provoking the Philistines to assemble a large force. Saul gathered the Israelite troops at Gilgal. He waited seven days for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices, as Samuel had told Saul in 1 Samuel 10:8. Samuel was delayed and the Israelite troops began to scatter. Saul got impatient and broke God’s Law by performing the burnt offering himself. Samuel rebuked Saul for breaking God’s Law and told him that his kingdom would not endure because of his sin and that God had sought a man after His own heart (referring to David), whom God would establish as king of Israel. In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan, Saul’s son, and his armor-bearer crossed a ravine to the Philistine outpost. Jonathan proposed a test of faith: if the Philistines said, “Come up to us,” that meant they would attack. Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men and the Philistines panicked. The panic spread and God caused confusion among the Philistines. Saul made a rash vow that anyone who ate before evening (until he had defeated his enemies) would be cursed. This caused exhaustion among the troops, weakening them. Unaware of his father’s oath, Jonathan ate the honey and found he was threatened with execution. The people intervened, arguing that Jonathan’s victory was crucial; Saul relented. We see Saul’s kingship weakening due to repeated disobedience to God.
Challenge & Application
What were some of the ungodly decisions by King Saul and what did God teach you through them?
Disobedience to the Lord always renders consequences, so, how are you guarding your heart from walking in disobedience?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!