Day #101

Sermon - Audio
1 Samuel 13-14 - Audio
1 Sameul 13-14 - Reading

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1 Samuel 13-14: The Downfall of Saul

Chapter 21 picks up the story were chapter 11 left off. In the next few chapters, we will hear about Saul's successes and failures as king

1 Samuel 13

The purpose of the monarchy is to fight the Philistines.

13.1-7 These verses tell the first encounter between Israel and the Philistines under Saul's reign. Jonathan mounts an initial attack. The measure of success of that attack is not recorded, but all it seems to have done is provoke the Philistine army. Not inherent in the text, if you look at a map, we see that Israel's forces are immediately pushed back from Mikmash and Gibeah to Gilgal (halfway across the country—so to speak); their backs are now to the Jordan River. The Philistines had superior numbers and technology. Paul is able to gather 3,000 men. The Philistines have as many “tanks” (3,000 chariots). 2 men in each chariot: one to drive and one to attack. The Israelites are understandably intimidated. In verse 7, the literal Hebrew describes the whole camp trembling with fear. Many of them resort to hiding in “caves, thickets, rocks, pits and cisterns.” Their situation is abysmal. Cisterns are essentially the storm sewers of ancient Israel, used to collect flowing water from the streets to be used during the dry season.

13.8-15 Saul's army is more like a volunteer militia than anything. In the face of the overwhelming military power of the philistines, the Israelites start to scatter. We find out that out of Saul's original 3,000 men, only 600 remain by verse 15. In an attempt to rally the troops, Saul grows impatient of Samuel and preforms the offering himself. The specific infringement brings us back to the Levitical code. Only a Priest is allowed to sacrifice a burnt offering. As king, Saul's role is judge and warrior, not priest. By assuming the role of priest to accomplish his own ends, it appears that Saul is invoking YHVH as the Canaanites invoked their gods. He is trying to call YHVH to his side, instead of being obedient to his will. He tries to treat God like a genie. His actions are borderline idolatrous: he treats YHVH as a god-of-my-cause (as we often do today) instead of the true, living God. (This is not the first time in 1 Samuel that Israel has tried to force God's hand in this way. Recall chapter 4 when they bring the Ark with them into battle.) This offense is serious enough that God decides to appoint a new king and a new dynasty under David. Although not mentioned by name here, the reference to David is concrete: “a man after God's own heart. The impeccable timing of Samuel's arrival indicates that this episode was a test of Saul's faith and submission to YHVH all along. YHVH is the true king of Israel, Paul is only subordinate.

Also note that in Samuel's speech to Saul, he tells Saul what might have been if he was obedient. God is not breaking a promise here. Saul had not even been informed of the possibility of the a dynasty until now.

13.16-23 The Philistines attack again in verse 16-18. Verse 19-22 show Philistines have a monopoly on iron. Even to sharpen their tools, Israel had to go to the Philistines for service. Israel was not only at a disadvantage militarily, but also economically.

“The narrative of chapter 13 intends to trace for us the course of the war. It also intends to assert that in, with, and under the war with the Philistines there is this other force at work, making and unmaking kings, dominating the flow of power in hidden but irresistible ways (Brueggemann: Interpretation Series).”

1 Samuel 14

14.1-14 Immediately juxtaposed with Saul's lack of faith is Jonathan's act of faith. Jonathan is unassuming: “Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.” Unlike Saul, Jonathan is not concerned with the number of people he needs to be successful; “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” It is just Jonathan and his armor bearer (presumably only 1 sword between them. The two of them are able to kill 20 Philistines. That's 10 kills per person (and no causalities). Do the math on the previous chapter. Saul had 600 men (after all the deserters). The Philistines had 6,000 charioteers. 10 men to each one of Saul's. What does it mean? If Saul had waited on the LORD, he would've had exactly what he needed: the fact that the Philistines had more advanced technology is of no consequence compared with the LORD's blessing.

14.15-23 Following up Jonathan's bravery, panic strikes the Philistine camp. There is an earthquake (seemingly sent by God—perhaps even indicating his presence). Meanwhile, Saul is talking to Abijah the priest about bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle (not unlike the Israelites attempted in chapter 4). But as he looks on, he sees that it is not necessary. God is already on the battlefield with Jonathan. So he aborts the idea (“Withdraw your hand.”) The ensuing scene is actually an exciting battle scene. Saul's men act as a 2^nd wave offensive. Some not Israelite Hebrews switch sides and join Saul. (Hebrew is a less precise designation than Israelite. Hebrew more describes a regional designation). And then other Israelites start emerging from hiding to join the pursuit.

14.24-35 Here we are told of another failure of Saul—he puts the nation under a foolish oath. Because they are not allowed to eat, the men grow weak and immediately begin to eat the captured animals. Now Saul steps in to build an altar to prevent them from “drinking” the blood. Saul is a complex character—not all bad, here he acts out of piety.

14.36-48 FINALLY Saul inquires of the LORD for what he should do. But God is silent. Perhaps another test for Saul? I think Saul acts rightly in this situation. Instead of acting rashly, he considers the fact that somebody might have “sinned.” He does not exclude himself from this process. When it turns out to be Jonathan who had sinned, Jonathan owns up to his guilt and accepts his fate. Saul too is willing to do the “pious” thing to keep his vow despite his own personal loss. However, the men of Israel rally to Jonathan's cause. Important to their defense is “for he did this today with God's help.” God is with Jonathan, and Saul is not so stubborn as to not listen to his men's input (exemplifying good leadership). It seems God will was for Saul not to pursue at this time, and for the time being God is once again with Saul. Though Israel is pressed on every side, it says that “wherever he turned, he [Saul] inflicted punishment...he delivered Israel from those who had plundered them (vs 47-48).”