734 - Jonathan‘s Victory

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 were declared innocent. 


Then, Saul said, 

“Now cast lots again …and choose between me and Jonathan.” 


And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one. 


“Tell me what you have done,” Saul demanded of Jonathan. 


“I tasted a little honey,” Jonathan admitted. 


“It was only a little bit, on the end of my stick. 


Does that deserve death?” 


“Yes, Jonathan,” Saul said, “you must die! 


May God strike me and even kill me, if you do not die for this.” 


But, the people broke in ..and said to Saul, 


“Jonathan has won this great victory, for Israel. 


Should he die? 

Far from it! 


As surely as the Lord lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for God helped him do a great deed today.” 


So, the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death. 


Then, Saul called back the army, from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines returned home. 


1 Samuel 14:37–46 (NLT)


Praise be to God!



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