1 Samuel 14:36-39 Foolishness

 ”Now Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” Then the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” So Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him that day. And Saul said, “Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today. For as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him.“ I Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. So Saul asked counsel of God: This was good. Saul should have sought the counsel of God. We shouldn’t think that everything Saul did was bad before the LORD.

b. He did not answer him that day: Saul inquired of the LORD through the priest. It is likely that the priest used the Urim and Thummim to inquire of the LORD.

i. The use of the discerning tools of Urim and Thummim is described on a few occasions (Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21, 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65) and their use may be implied in other passages where Israel sought God (Judges 1:1 and Judges 20:18, 23).

ii. The names Urim and Thummim mean “Lights and Perfections.” We aren’t sure what they were or how they were used. Many authors think they were a pair of stones, one light and another dark, and each stone indicated a “yes” or “no” from God. The high priest would ask God a question, reach into the breastplate, and pull out either a “yes” or a “no.”

iii. On this occasion, the priest probably started inquiring of the LORD with this question: “LORD, do you want to speak to us today?” Because we are told He did not answer him that day, the stone that indicated “no” kept being drawn out.

c. For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die: This shows how sure Saul was that he was right. He was so sure that he pronounced another oath.

i. Of course, if Saul knew that it was Jonathan who violated his oath, he would never have said this. But he was so caught up in being “right” that he added this foolish vow to his previous foolish commandment.

ii. Saul was very good at making religious oaths and promises. But that didn’t mean very much because he was not good at having a heart after God and he was not good at keeping the oaths he made.

iii. “Strange perverseness! He who was so indulgent as to spare wicked Agag, chapter 15, is now so severe as to destroy his own worthy son.” (Poole)

d. Not a man among all the people answered him: The people knew Jonathan ate the honey, and Saul’s sentence of death on anyone who had eaten must have sent a chill up their backs. All the people loved and respected Jonathan and they knew that Saul was in the wrong. (Guzik)

Foolishness 

I am reminded of a verse:

”A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.“ Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Why does Saul keep making foolish oaths? Sin!

It started with the Israelites, demanding to have an earthly king instead of the heavenly King! So the Lord gave them what they deserved! 

But we are no different because of our sinful nature!

Remember:

”Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.“

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever said anything and regretted it? I have!

Blessings