The
Book of First Samuel
Chapter 14:24-52
[24] And the men of
1) The Oath (V 24)
Saul was wrong in that he had the wrong focus
- upon self
Saul was also wrong in that he had the wrong
sense of authority
With the fast he distressed the
people............... they were in battle and were hungry
[25] And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the
ground.
[26] And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped;
but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
[27] But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath:
wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it
in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
[28] Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly
charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
[29] Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how
mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
[30] How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of
their enemies which they found? for had there not been
now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
2)
The Occasion (V 25-30)
But they aren’t allowed to partake thereof
Jonathon, put forth his rod to the honeycomb
and ate thereof
He unknowingly broke
oath........ (Yet he had already won the
victory)
He was enlightened and
strengthened
The people state that Saul (flesh) has said
we can’t eat..............
But Jonathon says the flesh (my father)
troubles the land
The honey has helped me and victory could be
greater if we would eat the honey
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb
** People say there is work to do, no time for devotions, prayer meetings, business needs attention, family needs my presence
** But if you would take time to eat of the honey you would and could be greater
[31] And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash
to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
[32] And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves,
and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
[33] Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in
that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have
transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
[34] And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them,
Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here,
and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the
people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
3)
The Offense (V 31-35)
They took of the spoil and ate the animals
before they were properly cleansed
Deut 12:23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood [is] the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh. 24 Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water. 25 Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.
Thus in keeping Sauls
commandment (of men) they break the commandment of God
No honey, no enlightenment, then you will eat the uncleanness of the flesh
Mk 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition
Saul again positions himself as priest, which
is strictly forbidden
He will fix things...... in the flesh
[35] And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that
he built unto the LORD.
[36] And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil
them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they
said, Do whatsoever seemeth
good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
[37] And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down
after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the
hand of
[38] And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know
and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
[39] For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth
[40] Then said he unto all
[41] Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of
[42] And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was
taken.
[43] Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told
him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was
in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
[44] And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt
surely die, Jonathan.
[45] And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this
great salvation in
[46] Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went
to their own place.
4)
The Order (V 36-46)
The enemy is escaping, Saul says let’s go
chase the enemy at nighttime
The priest suggests they seek God
Saul
asks God if they should pursue but God did not answer
Saul states God doesn’t answer
because of sin.......... let’s see who it is and he’ll die!!!
Saul casts lots and the lot falls
upon Saul & Jonathon
Saul & Jonathon are taken .............. Jonathon is then found guilty.........
not Saul
Jonathon confesses and is admitting he must
die.. (Saul says the son must die, Jealous of his son)
The king is willing to kill his son rather
than admit his own pride and sin of adding laws
Yet in the next chapter (15:8) he will spare
a wicked king
**
I remember the kid in the car crying, dad asks what is wrong, the kid said the
preacher prayed that all the kids would be raised in a Christian home and he
said I really want to stay with you guys!!
The people step up and say without Jonathon
and God we would not have a victory today
While they fought out pride &
legalism.......... the enemy escaped
[47] So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies
on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon,
and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and
against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
[48] And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered
[49] Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui,
and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters
were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the
name of the younger Michal:
[50] And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the
daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of
his host was Abner, the son of Ner,
Saul's uncle.
[51] And
[52] And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and
when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
5)
The Oracles (V 47-52)
Saul would fight many wars... and was broadly strong
(own strength) not strong in the Lord (deep)
He named one son
Jonathon (gift of God) on son Ishui (just like me) Melchishua (king of help)