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TODAY'S TEACHING
In childhood games we are to follow what the leader does or says, but how should we respond to the real-life leader who does or says things that don’t honor God? Discover how faith like Jonathan’s can guide us in the face of flawed leadership.
A man to become king in place of Saul - a man after God’s own heart - who could THAT be? Of course, Samuel is referring to a young man who hasn’t stepped into the story yet. But, for now, the spotlight isn’t on this man’s obedience, but Saul’s disobedience.
FEET2FAITH
PAUSE & PRAY.
“Lord, Your Word > my feelings. Guide me.”
PAGE.
Open the Scriptures and answer the question, “What’s God say?”
PEOPLE.
Ask wise folks who follow Jesus for help - prayer, wisdom, & encouragement.
PROMISES.
Live out what God says, trusting that His promises are TRUE.
If you fall into sin, JUST TURN from sin instead of justifying it.
Remember that we saw Jonathan’s faith in Yahweh as he faced insurmountable odds yet said…
1 Samuel 14:6–7
Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will help us. Nothing can keep the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” His armor-bearer responded, “Do what is in your heart. Go ahead! I’m completely with you.”
- Jonathan leans on Yahweh and trusts Yahweh to use him to do what men can’t do alone.
- Saul, on the other hand, makes no mention of confidence in Yahweh, prays no prayer to Yahweh, and is so focused on avenging himself that he places his troops in a difficult situation.
The massive amount of honey wasn’t a TEMPTATION, but a PROVISION. God had provided for their needs, yet Saul’s prideful oath - brought trouble to his troops.
- Saul’s oath to HIMSELF - which NO ONE is to break - is more important than his previous oaths to Yahweh & Samuel - which he had broken.
- Jonathan is more concerned about the troops and openly states that his father has made a foolish oath.
The men are so hungry, they don’t take the time to hang the carcasses and allow the blood to drain from the animals before they eat them, and eating meat with blood still in it is a VIOLATION of God’s law (Gn 9:4; Lv 17:10–14).
What a mess this has become! The troops were starving because of Saul’s prideful oath. They ate the meat with the blood still in it because they didn’t have a place to drain the blood completely & they were exhausted & famished!
The large stone was for slaughtering the animals and letting the blood drain out.
Saul says “You have been unfaithful.” It’s interesting that the guy who God had rejected as king for his disobedience, the guy who had NOT led his people to trust Yahweh against the Philistines, and the guy who made an oath without considering how it impacted his troops - now confronts them for the mess HE had put them in - EXHAUSTED & HUNGRY.
- This is a classic case of NOT removing the log in your own eye while pointing to the speck in another’s eye.
- It’s easy to condemn others without mercy when we refuse to see that WE need mercy too.
Saul built an altar to Yahweh, but not out of devotion or thanksgiving - this is damage control.
Why is this the first time he has built an altar to Yahweh?”
- The troops don’t seem very enthusiastic in their response, “Do whatever YOU want” - and this is the issue with Saul’s leadership - he was doing what HE wanted, but had not yet asked what God wanted.
- Consider how Jonathan’s armor bearer responded to Jonathan’s plan to attack, while leaning on Yahweh.
- “Do what is in your heart. Go ahead! I’m completely with you.”
If Saul had his way, they would have immediately launched the night attack - no time to ask God about it. Thankfully, the priest pulled back the reigns and encouraged Saul to ask God what should be done.
Should they go after the Philistines? Is God in this - is He with them? But God did not answer him that day. Why NOT?
There it is again, the troops are not on board and again respond with, “Do whatever you want.”
Saul wants to get to the bottom of this - WHY hasn’t God answered? How has this SIN occurred?
The Urim & Thummim are thought to be 2 stones or sticks held in a pocket in the priest’s breastplate. When tossed they likely revealed a “yes” or “no” kind of answer from Yahweh. (Num 27:21, 1 Sam 28:6) Ironically, this is the same process that was used to demonstrate that Yahweh had chosen Saul as the first king of Israel.
Saul is going to hold his own son accountable for Saul’s prideful vow that Jonathan was not even aware of at the time. Jonathan, honest about his dastardly deed of innocently tasting a little honey, is ready to die. Whether responding in sarcasm or seriousness, the king’s command of death is just SILLY.
But Saul again makes a prideful oath, “May God punish me severely if my son doesn’t die.”
But this time the troops DON’T respond with “Do whatever you want.”
Jesus modeled obedience to God the Father and stood up to other leaders who didn’t. What about YOU?
Jesus prayed persistently. Jesus didn’t tear off on ministry without bathing his thoughts in prayer. What about YOU?
Jesus cared about others consistently. Jesus cared about the scholars & the drop-outs. What about YOU?
Have questions and need some help? …real soon…how about now? Please call or text us soon!
These open-ended questions are designed to help you LIVE what you LEARN with your Family, Friends, or Small Group.
Discussion Questions
- Saul’s rash oath hurt his own men (vv. 24–30). Can you think of modern examples of how rash leadership decisions in families, churches, or workplaces hurt those under authority?
- What does Jonathan’s response to the honey (v. 29) teach us about God’s provision versus human rules?
- Saul accused others of unfaithfulness while ignoring his own (vv. 33–35). Why is it easier to spot sin in others than in ourselves? How do we guard against this in daily life?
- Saul nearly executed his own son out of rigid legalism (vv. 39–44). How can we guard against confusing human traditions with God’s commands?
- In v. 45, the people stood up to Saul and rescued Jonathan. When is it right—and even necessary—for God’s people to refuse to follow a leader? How do we do this in a way that honors God?
- Saul was a strong military leader but a poor spiritual leader (vv. 47–52). What qualities matter most in godly leadership today—in the home, church, and community?
- How does this passage encourage you to trust God’s purposes even when human leadership is flawed?
- Take time to talk about how Jesus modeled obedience to the Father and stood up to those who didn’t. What are some ways you have done this or need to?
- Give examples of how Jesus prayed persistently. How is YOUR prayer life & how can we pray for one another today?
- Discuss how Jesus cared so consistently for others (give some examples). What are some practical ways we can show real care to others in our community?
