Passing the Buck

1 Samuel 14: 24-46

Signs of weakness in a leader are making vows, oaths or commands without weighing the full ramification of your actions.  We find Saul’s foolishness in verse 24, “And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food.”   

I hope you recall my disclaimer that I was a member of Uncle Sam’s Army, but I never saw myself as a soldier, much less a warrior.  When one engages in a battle, you are expending a lot of energy, and yet Saul gives the order not to take a break.  Do not stop for a quick spam break, they are referred to as MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) a long way from home cooked meals, but it will keep a soldier going.

One can only wonder what was going on in the mind of Saul, but you are going to see it backfire on him.  First, as a leader it was not all about him, it was about Israel and the people, but it reminds me of a President that took credit for what some brave Navy Seals accomplished.  It was Jonathan who followed the direction of the Lord; it was Jonathan that God honored and yet Saul wanted all the glory that was deserved by another.

It seems clear that Jonathan was Saul’s second choice in leadership, yet Saul did not include him in the giving of such a foolish order.  In fact, Jonathan did not know anything about an order until it was too late to address it with his dad.  So when he entered the forest, and the honey was dripping from the trees, and he ate the honey and had renewed energy.

One must assume that at some point Jonathan was informed of what his dad, the king had done and believed it to be a wrong decision, but he did not know how dangerous the command had been, till it was too late.

Now at the end of the day the people are rounding up the sheep and cattle, and because they are hungry they are going to kill and eat, but that is not in keeping with God’s command.  We find King Saul doing the right thing in building an altar, and the people bought and butchered their meat.

Now a wise leader does not take a vote to see what is popular with the people before moving on, but that is what Saul did.  But the priest said, let’s hear from God.  I’m sure you may have experienced what Saul is experiencing, God is quiet, and once more Saul is looking for someone other than self to blame.  And the lots were cast and the blame was between him and his son.  Jonathan is picked and tells his dad about the honey.  Saul is going to have him killed, but the people would not hear of it.  It is evident in Scripture that Jonathan never knew his dad had given such an order, and so in the eyes of God and man, he was not guilty.  When the people said, you are not going to kill Jonathan; I’m sure Saul was a happy man.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice