Main Verse: 1 Samuel 14:24-46

Good morning!

King Saul uttered an edict: “No one is to eat until I have gotten revenge on my enemies.” Among the spoils was a pot of honey. When Jonathan saw the honey pot, he reached down with his spear, grabbed about a handful, and ate it. Then one of the troops yelled, “You can’t do that, your father. The King implemented a mandatory fast until he gets revenge.” Violating the King’s edict was punishable by death and Saul was willing to do just that, however, his soldiers stood up for him, so Saul relented. Because the men hadn’t eaten, they did not have the strength to continue to chase the Philistines so, the Philistines would be a continual nemesis until they were captured by Neo-Assyrian forces in 911 BC and ultimately destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BC (Philistia, History).

It is the King’s prerogative, as well as anyone in a place of authority, to issue edicts, orders, and/or commands as he/she sees fit. Saul’s order or edict, although his prerogative, was questionable because of the harm it caused the troops. By violating the King’s order, Johnathan answered for his actions in The Kingdom of God and Saul’s right, wrong, or indifferent (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The point where the wheel comes off of the proverbial axel is when we make snap decisions just as Saul had done. The questions we need to always ask ourselves when we are about to make a difficult decision are, “Should I do __”, “Why am I ___, and “Why now?; if we can answer those questions with logic and reasoning, we’ll make good decisions whether it be about food, drink, or buying something (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). My encouragement for you today is that you will carefully consider what you are about to do, and how it will affect those you support, and don’t let the momentary trials cloud your view of the bigger picture.

Father,

Thank you for your Word which, when we seek your face, you will open for us to see (Matthew 7:7-8). It is you who gives me eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak, and fingers to touch; please help me to make use of them so that my life may be a prayer to you always and that I will please you in all things (Matthew 13:9-16, Proverbs 20:12).

In Jesus’ Name

Amen