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Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake
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The Reason for Saul’s Sad Failure
Saul was out of favor with God but was unwilling to humble his
heart in repentance. He was not ignorant about Israel’s defeat when
Hophni and Phinehas had brought the ark of God into the camp, and
yet, knowing all this, he determined to send for the sacred chest and
the priest who accompanied it. By doing this he hoped to reassemble
his scattered army and give battle to the Philistines. Then he could
do without Samuel and free himself from the prophet’s unwelcome
criticisms and reproofs.
The Holy Spirit had been granted to Saul to give him understand-
ing and soften his heart. And yet how stubborn he was in choosing
the wrong way! That impulsive spirit, not trained to submission early
in life, was always ready to rebel against divine authority. People
cannot spend years perverting the powers God has given them, and
then, when they choose to change, find these powers fresh and free
for an opposite course.
Saul’s efforts to reassemble the people failed. With his force
reduced to six hundred men, he retreated to the fortress at Geba on
the south side of a deep, rugged gorge a few miles north of Jerusalem.
The Philistine force had encamped at Michmash on the north side
of the valley and were sending troops out in different directions to
destroy the country.
Jonathan, the King’s Son, Is Honored
God had permitted a crisis in order to rebuke Saul and teach
His people a lesson of humility and faith. Because of Saul’s sin
in offering the sacrifice himself, the Lord would not give him the
honor of defeating the Philistines. Jonathan, the king’s son, who
respected the Lord, was chosen. Moved by a divine impulse, he
suggested a plan to his armor-bearer that they make a secret attack
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on the enemy’s camp. “It may be,” he urged, “that the Lord will
work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or
by few.”
The armor-bearer, also a man of faith and prayer, encouraged the
idea. Together they left the camp secretly to avoid opposition. With
earnest prayer to the Guide of Israel, they agreed on a sign to help