QT 11/21/2022 1 Sam 14:16-23, Start with God

1 Samuel 14:16–23 (ESV) —

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. 19 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.

 

NOTE: Saul is like the Jewish mercenaries who changed sides depending on how the battle is going. At first, Saul seems to be following the law, which was to include a priestly address.

 

Deuteronomy 20:4–5 (ESV) — 4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ 5 Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

 

But in the middle of the function, Saul interrupts it in order to jump into a battle that appeared to be going very well. One poor decision leads to others, as we will see later when another poor decision on his part results in a victory could have been much greater.

 

1 Samuel 14:30 (ESV) — 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

 

When we see things through worldly eyes only, we miss out on the greater victory. Saul's reign is a story of missed opportunities and a religious attitude that completely missed out on the good that God could have given.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I seek God first or my own thoughts and plans first?
2. When do I involve God in my decisions? At the start or when they start to collapse?

 

PRAYER: Father, I need to bathe my life and decisions in prayer. I need to remember to go to you first, not second.