Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake
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threaded their way under the cliff, partially concealed by the ridges
of the valley. Approaching the fortress they were revealed to their
enemies, who said tauntingly, “Behold, the Hebrews come forth out
of the holes where they had hid themselves... . Come up to us, and
we will show you a thing,” meaning that they would punish the two
Israelites for their daring. This challenge was the token that Jonathan
and his companion had agreed to accept as evidence that the Lord
would prosper their undertaking.
Choosing a secret and difficult path, the warriors made their way to
a cliff that had been deemed inaccessible and was not strongly guarded.
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Thus they penetrated the enemy’s camp and slew the sentinels, who,
overcome with surprise and fear, offered no resistance.
Angels of heaven shielded Jonathan and his attendant; angels
fought by their side, and the Philistines fell before them. The earth
trembled as though a great multitude with horsemen and chariots were
approaching. Jonathan recognized the tokens of divine aid, and even
the Philistines knew that God was working for the deliverance of Israel.
Great fear seized the host. In the confusion the Philistines began to
slay one another.
Soon the noise of the battle was heard in the camp of Israel. The
king’s sentinels reported great confusion among the Philistines and
that their numbers were decreasing. Seeing that the Philistines were
meeting with a repulse, Saul led his army to join the assault. The
Hebrews who had deserted to the enemy now turned against them;
great numbers also came out of their hiding places. As the Philistines
fled, Saul’s army committed terrible havoc upon the fugitives.
Again Saul Is Foolish
Determined to make the most of his advantage, the king rashly
forbade his soldiers to partake of food for the entire day. “Cursed be
the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on
mine enemies.” The victory had already been gained without Saul’s
knowledge or cooperation, but he hoped to distinguish himself by the
utter destruction of the vanquished army. The command to refrain
from food showed the king to be indifferent to the needs of his people
when these conflicted with his desire for self-exaltation. He declared