After one victory Saul went from a king with “some” advisors to a having a 2,000 man army with him at all times. These three chapters describe the fall of Saul from God’s chosen king to a rebel against the LORD of Israel. When his son Jonathan killed a Philistine commander Saul claimed the victory and called all of Israel’s fighting men to join him in the battle against the Philistines. But Saul misunderstood the purpose of God’s sacrifices. He thought they were the means to appease God rather than an expression of recognition for what God was already doing among his people. So Saul took control of the altar and led in the sacrifice; a very costly choice. Later, when Jonathan was again given a victory, Saul refused to wait on God (14:19) to answer his requested for guidance and chose to attack on his own terms. God gave Israel a victory in spite of Saul’s rash behavior and vow. Once more God guided Saul to encounter Israel’s enemies, but this time Samuel was very clear in God’s commands to Saul; dedicate everything to God on the battlefield. Nothing of the Amalekites is to be left alive. Saul neither restrained himself of his men, and brought shame to Israel in spite of God’s victory. I know that I need to beware of falling into the same trap as Saul.
Stuart
No comments:
Post a Comment