Day 103, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Samuel 13-14; 1Chronicles 8:1–9:1a; 1Chronicles 9:35-44; 5:7-10; 5:18-22
“I don’t want any help. I can do it myself!” says the small child. While we want to encourage children to try things and learn to succeed, sometimes the tasks are too difficult. They have to trust their parent (s) or teachers for a while and observe how to do things right. What should we do when children (or adults) are obstinate? We can learn some lessons from Saul, the king of Israel.
Saul began his reign well because he was humble, and his power to command was from God. After the Israelites assembled and helped him win the victory over the Ammonites, the people reaffirmed Saul as king.
Saul was generous in overlooking the insults of those who earlier opposed him, and he led the Israelites to praise God for victories. The LORD was gracious to King Saul, and Saul was faithful. But soon all that changed. He relied on his position as king, and his victories went to his head.
In today’s Bible reading, the Philistines threaten King Saul and the Israelites. Saul is camped at Michmash in the hill country of Bethel with 2,000 men. His son Jonathan is camped at Gibeah with 1,000 men. These two small regiments are Saul’s regular army. The Philistines, however, greatly outnumber them.
Sometimes when the pressures of life are enormous, we feel we must do something, even when the best thing to do is to wait on God. King Saul faces an overwhelming military threat, and his men are quaking in fear, disbanding, or hiding. He is losing them (1Samuel 13:1-14).Samuel had instructed Saul to wait for him to come and offer the sacrifice for God’s blessing, but the prophet was late. Saul panics and offers the burnt offering himself. He does this, even though he’s not a priest. For disobeying and dishonoring the LORD, Samuel declares God will not allow his kingdom to endure. The LORD wants a man who obeys God to lead Israel.
At first glance, we might think this judgment is rather harsh. After all, we might succumb to the same pressures. True, but are we leaders of God’s chosen people? To whom much is given, much is also required (Luke 12:48).Saul isn’t just a political leader; he‘s also a spiritual leader. Whichever direction the king leads, the people follow.
In our modern-day, we have tried to divorce politics from religion and morality, but it’s impossible. Most people follow their leaders, and the decisions they make for the country always involve morals. Whether we are government, business, or church leaders, or parents trying to lead our children as best as we can, we must keep in mind that we are affecting others. We will either lead others toward God or away from him. Even spiritual indifference will draw others away from the LORD.
Jonathan’s Leadership
Jonathan, Saul’s son, leads attacks against the Philistines. In his second attack, only Jonathan and his armor-bearer face the Philistines. Why? Jonathan has faith that God can save Israel by many or by few. Saul counts on the numbers of his troops; Jonathan counts on the LORD (1 Samuel 13:3-5; 14:1-15). God helps the young prince by sending an earthquake and a panic into the Philistine army, and then Jonathan and Saul’s troops route their enemies.
What a leader does when he’s under pressure reveals his true character. Besides the incident at Gilgal (1Samuel 13), Saul does some other foolish things (1Samuel 14:24-45; 15:12). To get the glory, he binds his army with an oath not to eat any food until he has avenged himself of his enemies. He is unsympathetic to the welfare of his troops.
Does his army raise objections? No, although he’s self-willed, he’s the king, and they let him experience the results of his folly, although they suffer for it. Saul’s witless vow causes the famished troops of Israel to sin by eating the blood of the animals they capture in plunder. Saul redeems himself somewhat by setting up an altar so the meat can be offered to God, cooked, and then served to the men.
Saul is, however, a slow learner. He doesn’t confess his sin of making the vow. Instead, he again seeks advancement by praying to the LORD for another victory. But the LORD is displeased and will not answer him. Saul is sharp enough to realize something is wrong.
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 it lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” [Jonathan, not knowing about the curse, had eaten some honey]. But not one of the men said a word. …“Do what seems best to you,” the men replied. (1Samuel 14:38-40, NIV)
They don’t correct their king. Those who are determined, convince themselves they are right, and they will not listen. When it’s safe, those who are willful should be allowed to make their own mistakes, whether they are a child, teen, or adult. Success and failure are part of life, and that is how we grow.
Saul, in his pride, would keep the vow and sacrifice his son, Jonathan, even though he helped bring a tremendous military victory. Thankfully, Saul’s troops stop his foolishness. Sometimes we, too, have to stop the willful notions of people because the results can be devastating. Saul would have lost not only his son but the confidence of his army.
Despite Saul’s obstinate will, the LORD still uses him to win victories against the Philistines. Like Samson, who was also strong-willed, God uses Saul to punish the Philistines because the LORD loves his people. Most of us have served under obstinate leaders, so this gives us some hope.
Neither Samson nor Saul, however, had an enduring rule with God’s favor upon them. Do we want God’s blessings on us to continue? We need to act with humble faith and courage to obey God, not with obstinance. We need to choose to seek God’s glory, not our own. How do we get God’s blessings?
If any of us are obstinate like Saul, do we want God’s blessings on us to continue? If so, we need to confess our sins (more). Then we must learn to trust in God. We need to act with humble faith and courageously obey his will. We must seek God’s glory, not our own.
During Saul’s reign, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh are also busy fighting wars (1Chronicles 7:10). They, too, are given victories like Jonathon—the LORD answers their prayers because they have faith in him (1Chronicles 5:19-20, NIV). As a reward for their confidence in God, Israel’s eastern tribes gain the victory and spoils of war. How will we act today—with obstinacy or faith?
Focus Verse
1Samuel 14:6c (NIV) “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
Discussion
What can or should we do about those who are obstinate?
How has God used 1Samuel 14:6 (above) in our life?
We must keep in mind that we are affecting others. We will either lead others toward God or away from him. How is this true in our society and family?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: How important is it to follow instructions, exactly? Find out in our Next Lesson as we continue to study the life of King Saul.
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