Saul's Rash Vow

The Background

Some Review

What did God do for Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14:1-15?

What did God do for Israel in 1 Samuel 14:16-23?

Setting the Stage

Deuteronomy 23:21-23

What is suggested in Deuteronomy 23:21-23?

James 5:12

What does James 5:12 teach?

A God of Truth

Why do you suppose God places such a high value on keeping one’s word?

The Events

Saul’s Oath (14:24)

What is the longest period of time you have gone without eating?

What did Saul command his people to do?

He commanded them to refrain from eating. At this point it is important to note that the Torah did not require such a fast before combat. At this point Saul is adding his own rules.

The Land Flowing with Milk and Honey (14:25-30)

What types of nutrients can quickly be processed by your body?

Upon chasing the Philistine army into the wooded areas, what did Saul’s people come across? Why is this significant?

The people come across honey in the woods. Given the labor involved in battle and Saul’s command not to eat, the people were likely famished. Honey would have provided some incredible energy.

What did Jonathan do with the honey?

Jonathan, not having heard Saul’s vow took the honey and ate it.

How did Jonathan’s body respond to the honey?

Jonathan’s eyes brightened. The idea here is an idiomatic reference for reinvigoration.

How did Jonathan respond when he was told that Saul had declared that nobody could eat?

Jonathan stated that “my father has troubled the land (v. 29).” The term troubled עכר (akar) means to bring disaster upon and was used to describe what Achan did to Israel in the conquest of Jericho. Jonathan went on to state that Israel could have had a greater victory had Saul handled things differently.

Victory? (14:31-35)

Remember, the oath Saul had taken was that nobody would eat until the battle was over. How did the people react to the battle ending?

With the battle over, the people responded by acting like savages and slaughtered the animals right there.

What rule regarding food was established in Gen. 9:4; Lev. 3:17; 7:26?

The people were to avoid eating meat with the blood still in it. That is the meat was to be properly butchered and drained.

In what ways do you think Saul’s rash oath led people to sin?

Keeping Promises Matters to God (14:36-41)

What plan did Saul make in verse 36?

Saul intended to go back into battle and finish what he had started.

The priest convinced Saul to ask God if he should carry out his plan. What answer did God give?

God did not answer. When we ask God for something he may say “yes”, he may say “no”, or he may choose not to answer/say “wait”.

Apparently, God did not answer because Saul’s rash oath had been violated. What scheme did Saul devise to find out who had violated his oath?

Saul developed a plan in which he would use the Urim and Thummin to narrow down the list of people who could be responsible.

Guilty (14:42-46)

Who was identified as the guilty party?

Jonathan

What punishment did Saul pronounce on Jonathan?

Saul stated that Jonathan should be put to death.

What did the people say about Saul’s death sentence?

The people argued that Jonathan should be spared.

1, 2 Samuel (2) Saul Makes a Foolish Vow before the Lord (13:16b–14:46)

What follows is one of the most instructive passages in the Former Prophets regarding the limitations of human kingship. Prior to Saul the Lord was Israel’s only king (cf. 12:12). The Lord is “a great king” (Mal 1:14), and whatever the Lord curses is cursed indeed (Gen 12:3). Saul was now Israel’s king; and Saul, like the Lord, had the power to curse. But unlike the Lord, Saul did not have the power to enforce his curse. The curse of a king, like every other royal utterance, was ultimately the word of a human being and thus mired in the frailties of the human condition.

In terms of the battle, what was the ultimate result?

The battle was ended. It is important to note here that Saul was not allowed to finish up the battle. There was a price to pay for violating the oath, even if it was a rash oath. Perhaps the entire Philistine problem could have been solved right here. Instead Saul was forced to end the battle before seeing a complete victory.

Conclusion

What are some bad examples of promise that you might be inclined to make?

What are some good examples of promises that you might be inclined to make?

What steps should you take before making any promises?