Jo’s Place

734 - Jonathan‘s Victory  After Saul’s foolish oath, he asked the priests what he should do, and they told him to ask God… So, Saul asked God,  “Should we go after the Philistines?  Will you help us defeat them?”  But God made no reply that day.  Then, Saul said to the leaders, “Something’s wrong!  I want all my army commanders to come here.  We must find out what sin was committed today.  I vow, by the name of the Lord, who rescued Israel, that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!”  (Saul obviously didn’t learn from his mistakes… he made another foolish vow…) …and no one would tell him what the trouble was.  Then, Saul said,  “Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there.”  And the people responded to Saul,  “Whatever you think is best.”  Then, Saul prayed,  “O Lord, God of Israel, please show us, who is guilty …and who is innocent.”  Then, they cast sacred lots, and Jonathan and Saul were chosen, as the guilty ones, and the people wer

Israel Defeats the Philistines, but Saul Makes a Foolish Oath Saul’s lookouts, in Gibeah of Benjamin, saw a strange sight—the vast army, of Philistines, began to melt away, in every direction.  “Call the roll …and find out who’s missing,” Saul ordered.  And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone.  Then, Saul shouted to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here!”  For, at that time, Ahijah was wearing the ephod, in front of the Israelites.  But, while Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder.  So, Saul said to the priest, “Never mind; let’s get going!”  Then, Saul …and all his men, rushed out to the battle …and they found the Philistines killing each other.  There was terrible confusion everywhere.  Even the Hebrews, who had previously gone over to the Philistine army, revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites.  Likewise, the men of Israel, who were hiding in the hill country, of

Israel has a Military Disadvantage, but Jonathan has a Daring Plan Samuel left Gilgal and went on his way… but the remaining troops went with Saul, to meet the army of the Philistines.  They went up from Gilgal to Gibeah, in the land of Benjamin.  When Saul counted the men who were still with him, he found only 600 were left!  Saul and Jonathan… and the troops with them, were staying at Geba, in the land of Benjamin.  The Philistines set up their camp at Micmash.  Three raiding parties soon left the camp of the Philistines.  One went north toward Ophrah, in the land of Shual, …another went west, to Beth-horon, …and the third moved toward the border, above the valley of Zeboim, near the wilderness.  There were no blacksmiths, in the land of Israel, in those days.  The Philistines wouldn’t allow them, for fear that they would make swords and spears, for the Hebrews.  So, whenever the Israelites needed to sharpen their plowshares, picks, axes, or sickles, they had to take them to a Philis