Saul is king based on what? In the US, you just have to be able to get elected. What was Saul’s qualification? His daddy was a powerful man. Saul? He was tall. But the Spirit of God came upon him. When he had God’s power, he wasn’t a bad guy.

• “God changed Saul’s heart…” (1 Samuel 10.9)
• “The Spirit of God came powerfully upon him…” (1 Samuel 10.10, 11.6)

However, 1 Samuel chapters 13 and 14 report a series of bad decisions, beginning with this one. He was supposed to wait for Samuel – 7 days – to be blessed before going into battle, but he doesn’t, and it costs him the kingdom.

He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel. Samuel failed to show up at Gilgal, and the soldiers were slipping away, right and left. So Saul took charge: “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” He went ahead and sacrificed the burnt offering. No sooner had he done it than Samuel showed up! (1 Samuel 13.8 – 9, MSG)

“You didn’t come…so I took things into my own hands…” This is the guy who didn’t feel qualified to be king. Now that he’s king, he takes on priestly work too!

“That was a fool thing to do,” Samuel said to Saul. “If you had kept the appointment that your GOD commanded, by now GOD would have set a firm and lasting foundation under your kingly rule over Israel. As it is, your kingly rule is already falling to pieces. GOD is out looking for your replacement right now. This time he’ll do the choosing. When he finds him, he’ll appoint him leader of his people. And all because you didn’t keep your appointment with GOD!” (1 Samuel 13.13 – 14 MSG)

Then we come to chapter 14 where Saul’s son Jonathan takes initiative while Saul takes it easy:

Later that day, Jonathan, Saul’s son, said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison patrol on the other side of the pass.” But he didn’t tell his father. Meanwhile, Saul was taking it easy under the pomegranate tree at the threshing floor on the edge of town at Geba (Gibeah). There were about six hundred men with him. (1 Samuel 14.1, 2, MSG)

And you have to love Jonathan’s armor bearer:

Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on now, let’s go across to these uncircumcised pagans. Maybe GOD will work for us. There’s no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop GOD from saving when he sets his mind to it.” His armor bearer said, “Go ahead. Do what you think best. I’m with you all the way.” (1 Samuel 14.6, 7, MSG, emphasis mine)

The two of them win a skirmish and start a winning battle:

Jonathan shouted to his armor bearer, “Up! Follow me! GOD has turned them over to Israel!” Jonathan scrambled up on all fours, his armor bearer right on his heels. When the Philistines came running up to them, he knocked them flat, his armor bearer right behind finishing them off, bashing their heads in with stones. In this first bloody encounter, Jonathan and his armor bearer killed about twenty men. That set off a terrific upheaval in both camp and field, the soldiers in the garrison and the raiding squad badly shaken up, the ground itself shuddering—panic like you’ve never seen before! (1 Samuel 14.13 – 15, MSG)

And, for once, Saul makes a good decision. There’s a battle going on. The enemy is running away, and Saul first calls for the decision-making Ephod. Then he corrects himself:

While Saul was in conversation with the priest, the upheaval in the Philistine camp became greater and louder. Then Saul interrupted Ahijah: “Put the Ephod away.” Saul immediately called his army together and they went straight to the battle.

Sahil Bloom said in a newsletter the other day:

[Sometimes] You don’t need more information, you need more action. Sahil Bloom, March 20, 2024

Saul…went straight to the battle – a good move!

When they got there they found total confusion—Philistines swinging their swords wildly, killing each other. Hebrews who had earlier defected to the Philistine camp came back. They now wanted to be with Israel under Saul and Jonathan. Not only that, but when all the Israelites who had been hiding out in the backwoods of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were running for their lives, they came out and joined the chase. GOD saved Israel! What a day! The fighting moved on to Beth Aven. The whole army was behind Saul now—ten thousand strong!—with the fighting scattering into all the towns throughout the hills of Ephraim. (1 Samuel 14.19 – 23, MSG)

Saul did something really foolish that day. He addressed the army: “A curse on the man who eats anything before evening, before I’ve wreaked vengeance on my enemies!” None of them ate a thing all day. (1 Samuel 14.24, MSG)

I don’t know why leaders feel compelled to make decisions or pronouncements or arbitrary laws. Why would you starve your army while they’re engaged in strenuous activity? To complicate things, Jonathan didn’t hear the stupid directive and had something to eat. Then Saul in his irrational state wanted to have him executed.

The soldiers rose up: “Jonathan—die? Never! He’s just carried out this stunning salvation victory for Israel. As surely as GOD lives, not a hair on his head is going to be harmed. Why, he’s been working hand-in-hand with God all day!” The soldiers rescued Jonathan and he didn’t die. (1 Samuel 14.45, MSG)

Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote:

…there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St Augustine that “an unjust law is no law at all.”  Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Saul will soon learn that obedience to God’s commands is of paramount importance. Stay tuned.

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion….By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just. (Proverbs 8.12, 15, NIV)