1 Samuel 14:40-44 Pride

 ”Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” Therefore Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped. And Saul said, “Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me.” So Jonathan was taken. Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!” Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”“

‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭40‬-‭44‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped: Saul wanted to find the wrongdoer by the casting of lots. They separated the people into two groups, and then selected one group by a “low” or “high” roll of something like dice. They continued to narrow the selected group until they found the one. Saul wanted everyone to know that he and his son Jonathan were innocent, so that was the first division. Imagine Saul’s shock when the lot indicated that he and Jonathan were the guilty group!

i. “Perfect lot” in the Hebrew is very close to the word for Thummim. They probably used the Urim and Thummim as the way to cast the lot.

b. So Jonathan was taken: Saul was shaken. He pronounced a death sentence on whoever ate in violation of his stubborn vow. Instead of admitting that the commandment and death sentence were foolish, Saul hardened his foolishness and declared “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”

i. Saul was willing to kill his son rather than to humbly admit that he was really at fault. Saul started out as a humble man (1 Samuel 10:21), but his once impressive humility was overtaken by pride.

Pride

”When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.“

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“The proud man or woman fears shame. Ironically, they cultivate shame and disgrace for themselves. One significant reason for this is that God resists the proud (James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5).” (Guzik)

“The humble man looks for nothing but justice; has the meanest opinion of himself; expects nothing in the way of commendation or praise; and can never be disappointed but in receiving praise, which he neither expects nor desires.” (Clarke)

May God give us the wisdom to be humble and if we become prideful, allow our fall to be gentle, as a father disciplines a child with love. 💕 

Blessings