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Lesson 4 Jonathan’s Faith Saul’s Fall 1 Sam 14-15

Jonathan’s Faith -Saul’s Folly (Part 2) Ch. 14 Saul’s sins [Philbeck]: Entering the battle of Michmash without waiting divine counsel. Invokiing an egotistical and pagan curse which deprived his army of the necessary food to support their victorious pursuit of the Philistines. Causing his army, through fatigue and hunger, to eat meat improperly bled (a violation of God’s law). Condemning Jonathan to death.

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Jonathan Decides Action vv. 1-3 Jonathan and armor bearer decide to do something about the Philistine threat He didn’t tell father, nor others Saul outside Gibeah under pomegranate tree, 600 men accompany Saul Ahijah the priest is there wearing the ephod Pomegranate tree is a low shrub or small tree with little shade, but the fruit is refreshing. Ahijah is Ichabod’s brother, son of Phineas, grandson of Eli. Priest at Shiloh. Ahijah apparently wears ‘the ephod’ for the high priest. Other priests and persons wore ephods (vests) for spiritual or civic reasons (e.g. Samuel and David)

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 The Terrain vv. 4-5 A pass to the Philistine stronghold Two sharp rocks on either side Bozez and Seneh One faces north towards Michmash, the other south towards Gibeah

start 7:30, stop 10:40 just after reading from 1 Sam 14

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Jonathan’s Plan and Faith vv. 6-10 Jonathan tells young armor bearer the plan to go up against Philistines “… it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” Jonathan knew power of God and had faith in Him The young armor bearer likewise

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Jonathan’s Plan and Faith vv. 6-10 The decision: Show themselves and Philistines say… - Wait until they come to them; stay in place - Come on up; a sign the Lord has delivered the Philistines into their hands

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Jonathan attacks vv. 11-14 Jonathan and young armor bearer show themselves to the Philistines Philistines scoff that the Hebrews are coming out of hiding (13:5-6) They climb up on hands and knees Jonathan fells; armor bearer kills ~20 men perish in ½ acre of land 1Sa 13:5 Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Philistines are routed vv. 15-23 Great trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all Philistines even the raiders and garrison; earth quaked Saul’s watchmen see the panic and flight of the Philistines Saul has a roll call to see who has gone out Jonathan and armor bearer not there

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Philistines are routed vv. 15-23 Saul calls for Ahijah the priest to bring the ark The Philistine panic increases Saul cancels the request for the ark Saul rallies the Israelites; the Philistines kill each other in the melee The ark was likely not with the army but at Kiriath-jearim at Abinadab’s house; I Sam. 7:1, I Chron. 13:5-7. Reference may have been to the decisions rendered by the high priest using the ephod, or Saul may have actually sent for the ark (where ever it was). Regardless Saul disregards it and engages the fight. In I Chron. 13:3 David said the ark had not been inquired of in the da

Why are Philistines giving Israel all this trouble? Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Philistines are routed vv. 15-23 Hebrew traitors rejoin Israelites, those hiding join in the attack The Lord saves Israel that day The battle shifts west of Michmash to Beth Aven, thus the Philistines are in hasty retreat Why are Philistines giving Israel all this trouble?

What is Saul’s situation before God at this point? Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Saul’s Rash Oath vv. 24 Men of Israel were hard pressed that day Saul’s oath, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I have avenged my enemies.” What is Saul’s situation before God at this point?

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 Jonathan Violates Order vv. 25-30 Israelites come into forest and find plenteous honey, but none eat Jonathan puts end of staff in honeycomb, eats and is refreshed Jonathan informed of Saul’s order Jonathan regrets Sauls order because Philistine rout could have been greater

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 The Israelites are famished vv. 31-35 Philistines driven back to Aijalon Israelites very faint; rush in on spoil to kill animals and eat, but they are not bled Saul informed of sin, requests a stone stage to direct proper slaughter Saul builds his first alter to the Lord

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 The Reckoning vv. 36-46 Saul and men wish to plunder and kill Philistines overnight The Priest said to draw near to God there Saul asks counsel of God but no answer Saul calls for leaders to find out the sin Even if Jonathan, he shall surly die No one answers

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 The Reckoning vv. 36-46 Men put on one side / Saul and Jonathan on the other Saul inquires of the Lord, Urim is given indicating Saul and Jonathan Another lot is cast, it’s Jonathan Jonathan tells of his tasting honey

Jonathan’s Faith Ch. 14 The Reckoning vv. 36-46 Saul intends to kill his son The people intervene Jonathan because of the salvation of Israel Saul turns back from pursuing, and the Philistines return to their own place

Jonathan’s Victory Ch. 14 Saul’s Continuing Wars vv. 47-52 Saul fights enemies on every side: Moab - East Ammon - East Edom - South Zobah - North Philistia - West Amalek – Southwest Saul takes strong and valiant men into the army Zobah is a region in central Syria.

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Mission Against Amalekites vv. 1-9 Samuel brings Saul words of the Lord God will punish Amalek for the Israelite ambush as they came from Egypt See Exod. 17:8-16 Saul to go and utterly (i.e. man, woman, child, livestock) destroy the Amalekites

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Mission Against Amalekites vv. 1-9 People mustered at Telaim 200,000 foot soldiers 10,000 men of Judah Saul comes to Amalek and waits in valley Kenites warned - had shown favor to Israel as they departed Egypt Telaim was likely in Judah. Kenites were of the family and kindred of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, a people that dwelt in tents, which made it easy for them to remove to other lands. Also, a more recent consideration for Israel was in the action of Jael the wife of Heber in her destruction of Sisera. Famous among the Kenites was Jael, whose husband Heber had migrated to north Paleatine (Judges 4:11, 5:24. [Coffman]

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Mission Against Amalekites vv. 1-9 Saul attacks Amalekites from Havilah (Hb. sand-land, perhaps S. Arabia) to Shur (E. of Egypt) Agag the king taken alive Other people utterly destroyed by sword The best livestock and good things spared Haman, a descendant of King Agag, who in the times of Esther plotted the destruction of all the Jews on earth, a plot which required the intervention of God himself to frustrate it. [Coffman]

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Saul Rejected As King vv. 10-29 Word of the Lord comes to Samuel God regrets: Having made Saul King Saul turned back from following Him Saul has not performed His commands Samuel grieved, calls out to Lord all night God’s regret (repent) is not that He has changed; Saul changed which reversed his standing with God.

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Saul Rejected As King vv. 10-29 Samuel rises early to meet Saul Saul first in Carmel and sets up a monument for himself, then returns to Gilgal Samuel goes to Saul; Saul says, “…I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” Saul puts up a memorial for himself in Carmel first, then goes to Gilgal where the memorial stones were erected after the miraculous Jordan River crossing. This Carmel is not Mt. Carmel on the coast, but a town in the wilderness of Paran.

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Saul Rejected As King vv. 10-29 Samuel, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of oxen I hear?” Saul blames the people, “They have brought them… to sacrifice to the Lord your God…” Samuel, “Be quiet! …”

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Saul Rejected As King vv. 10-29 Samuel relates the Lords discussion The hard question, “Why then did you not obey the Lord? …” Saul responds, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord…” and yet king Agag spared, and the people have brought the spoils to sacrifice

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Saul Rejected As King vv. 10-29 Samuel’s response, vv. 22-23 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.”

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Saul Rejected As King vv. 10-29 Saul seeks forgiveness for fearing the people, but too late Samuel turns to leave, Saul grasps and tears his robe “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day…”

Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Agag Killed vv. 30-34 Samuel relents to Saul’s second request to return Samuel calls for Agag Agag thinks he will be spared Samuel hacks Agag to pieces Samuel goes to Ramah, Saul home to Gibeah Perhaps Samuel respected the position of Saul’s kingship and returned to prevent discord among the nation?

God hurts when His people sin!! Saul’s Folly Ch. 15 Agag Killed vv. 30-34 Samuel went no more to see Saul (cf. I Sam. 19:24) Yet Samuel mourns for Saul, and the Lord regrets that He had made Saul king over Israel God hurts when His people sin!!

APPLICATIONS (1) “… it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” It’s not us that saves, but God’s Word Heb. 4:12 Glimpses of God’s power and glory: Elisha’s servant’s eyes opened II Kings 6:17 Stephen’s view of heaven Acts 7:55-56 Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Ac 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!“

APPLICATIONS (2) Oaths should be carefully made (if at all) Jesus chastises Pharisees Matt. 23:16-22 Matt. 5:33-37 Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’

APPLICATIONS (3) The Lord desires obedience rather than sacrifice Hosea 6:6 Psalms 50:8-14; 51:16,17 Isaiah 1:11 Jeremiah 6:20 Micah 6:6-8 Jesus in His teaching Matt. 9:13 and 12:7 Ho 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Ps 50:8 I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices Or your burnt offerings, Which are continually before Me. 9 I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. 12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. Ps 51:16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-These, O God, You will not despise. Isa 1:11 "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. Jer 6:20 For what purpose to Me Comes frankincense from Sheba, And sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.“ Mic 6:6 ¶ With what shall I come before the LORD, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Mt 9:13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.“ Mt 12:7 "But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.

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