1 Samuel 14

1 Samuel 14 records part of what happened during the first major battle under Saul’s command.  This is opposed to someone else’s or some other leadership other than Saul.  There seems to be a holding pattern between the Israelites and the Philistines.  Johnathan the son of Saul decides to take a look at what may be happening in the other camp.  So, he takes his armorbearer with him and approaches the Philistines.  This will initiate what will become a major victory over the Philistines.  The only problem is what Johnathan eventually does.  His father, Saul, has made an oath that no man may eat until evening when Saul has victory over his enemies.  Johnathan has some honey.  Eventually, because the men are so famished, they start eating animals with blood.  Saul realizes something is wrong and by lot discovers that Johnathan has eaten during the day.  Saul is willing to kill Johnathan, because Johnathan violated Saul’s oath.  The people do not allow this and Saul concedes.  Within this chapter is a multitude of lessons for us to learn and apply to our lives.  To understand what is happening, one must look deeper than the surface.  1 Samuel 14 provides a solid picture of the believer that has child-like faith and the heart of God.  It also gives a picture of one driven to their own self destruction.  Mainly because they put their interests above the welfare of others.

1 Samuel 14:1

¹ Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that on the other side.  But he told not his father.

Johnathan did not just decide to take on the Philistines by himself.  What is occurring here started back in 1 Samuel 13.  To provide background, we must start with 1 Samuel 13:1-2.

¹ Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, ² Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his ohel.

Saul has reigned for two years, not much has happened.  He has a force of 3000.  2000 with him and a 1000 with Johnathan, 1 Samuel 13:3.

³ And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that in Geba (Gibea), and the Philistines heard.  And Saul blew the shofar throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

It does not say why Johnathan engaged the Philistines, but he defeated them in Gibea.  Then in 1 Samuel 13:4.

⁴ And all Israel heard say Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and Israel also was an abomination with the Philistines.  And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

The people either thought Saul was victorious or that Johnathan did it in the name of Saul.  This cannot be determined; however, one may suspect that Saul took credit based on later events.  So all Israel gathered under Saul.  However, they did not consider what would happen next, 1 Samuel 13:5.

⁵ And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

Israel was now facing 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen and an innumerable number of people.  So the people had lost their nerve, 1 Samuel 13:6-7.

⁶ When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks (sela), and in high places, and in pits (bor). ⁷ And the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.  As for Saul, he yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

They were in fear at this point, 1 Samuel 13:8.

⁸ And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel.  but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

Saul waited as instructed, but when Samuel did not show.  Saul decides to do a burnt offering and a peace offering.  However, when Samuel does show up; he questions Saul, 1 Samuel 13:11-12.

¹¹ And Samuel said, What have you done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and you came not within the days appointed (moed), and the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; ¹² Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to Yehovah.  I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

Force comes from the Hebrew word אָפַק afaq (H0662).  It is in the Bible 7 times.  אָפַק afaq (H0662) is translated refrain 5 times, forced 1 times and restrained 1 time.  It means to contain, force oneself or restrain.  It is referring to one who has to prevent a reflex action or their will.  It is used in Genesis 43:31

³¹ And he (Joseph) washed his face, and went out, and refrained (afaq) himself, and said, Set on bread.

And Genesis 45:1.

³¹ Then Joseph could not refrain (afaq) himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me.  And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brethren.

Joseph refrained, forcibly, from revealing himself to his brothers.  This became an overwhelming issue for Joseph, Genesis 45:2.

² And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Haman an Agagite hated Mordechai.  He wanted to kill Mordechai with no delay, Esther 5:10.

¹⁰ Nevertheless Haman refrained (afaq) himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

Haman forcibly got control over himself, because he wanted to stamped out the entire Jewish people.

Three times in Isaiah אָפַק afaq (H0662) is used to describe Yehovah refraining Himself prior to the final actions, Isaiah 42:14.

¹⁴ I have long time holden My peace; I have been still, and refrained (afaq) Myself.  Now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

Isaiah 63:15

¹⁵ Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of Your holiness and of Your glory.  Where Your zeal and Your strength, the sounding of Your bowels and of Your mercies toward me? are They restrained (afaq)?

Isaiah 64:12

¹² Will You refrain (afaq) Yourself for these things, Yehovah? Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very sore?

To think that Saul actually had to force or restrain himself similar to Joseph, Haman or Yehovah is completely ludicrous.  Saul probably wanted to do it from the beginning.  However, one must decide for themselves; but do not discount Saul’s overall motives.

This is not to discredit Saul too early in his reign; however, this is typical of Saul.  When given a choice, he will always choose what benefits him overall.  It was always more important for Him to look like an infallible leader than one who is submitted to a higher authority.  Had Gideon done what Saul did, there would not have been a great victory over Midian.  The lesson that Saul needed to learn and fails time and again was, 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

²² And Samuel said, Has Yehovah delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yehovah?   Behold, to obey better than sacrifice, to hearken than the fat of rams.  ²³ For rebellion the sin (chattaah) of witchcraft and stubbornness iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of Yehovah, He has also rejected you from king.

This is a lesson that Saul never learned.  He never could get beyond His own greatness.  This is a lesson for us too.  If we do not learn this, we too will be rejected from our inheritance to be ruling with Messiah.  We will not lose salvation, but we will lose something greater.  All because we wanted it our way too often, 1 Samuel 13:13-14.

¹³ And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly.  You have not kept the commandment of Yehovah your Redeemer, which He commanded you.  For now would Yehovah have established your kingdom upon Israel for ever. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom shall not continue.  Yehovah has sought Him a man after His own heart, and Yehovah has commanded him captain (nagiyd) over His people, because you have not kept which Yehovah commanded you.

This must have taken the wind out of Saul’s sails.  Only two years into Saul’s reign and his dynasty will end with Him.  At this point Saul can either submit, repent or something else.  It seems Saul decides to do something else.  From this time forward Saul will do everything within his own power to ensure the continuation of his reign and that of his dynasty.  Although, he will work against himself at times.

Samuel leaves Saul.  Saul has 600 men with him.  To make matters worse, only Saul and Johnathan had a sword or spear.  This is because there was no smith capable of sharpening or constructing such implements.  The Philistines had grown tired of waiting and started to form battle lines.  Saul tarried; however, Johnathan decided to move forward or at least check things out.  Johnathan takes his armorbearer with him, but Johnathan does not tell Saul.

It is a curious fact that Johnathan did not tell his father, Saul, what he was doing.  It may have been completely innocent.  Or, possibly Johnathan did not believe Saul would allow Johnathan to go forward.  More than likely, Johnathan was led of the Spirit.

1 Samuel 14:2-3

² And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him about six hundred men (ish); ³ And Ahiah, the son (ben) of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother (ach), the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, Yehovah’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod.  And the people (am) knew not that Jonathan was gone.

Unlike Johnathan, Saul waits under a pomegranate tree.  Saul could afford to wait for awhile, he was on high ground.  However, it was a dangerous position to be in.  Migron was a precipice.  Saul had the advantage of being above, but he could also be easily surrounded.  He has 600 men with him, not much compared to the Philistines.  It was twice what Gideon had.  Also there were the priests.  But, no one knew that Johnathan had left.

1 Samuel 14:4-5

⁴ And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, a sharp (shen) rock (sela) on the one side, and a sharp (shen) rock (sela) on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. ⁵ The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.

To get to the Philistines, Johnathan had to pass through two sharp rocks.  Sharp comes from the Hebrew word שֵׁן shen (H8127).  It is in the Bible 55 times.  שֵׁן shen (H8127) is translated teeth 31 times, tooth 10 times, ivory 10 times, sharp 2 times, crag 1 time and forefront 1 time.  It is figuratively a cliff of some sorts.  Johnathan was not just passing between two rocks.  Johnathan was walking through a place, where a decision had to be made.  Johnathan would either go one way or the other the rest of his life.

Rock comes from the Hebrew word סֶלַע sela (H5553).  It is in the Bible 60 times.  סֶלַע sela (H5553) is translated rock 57 times, strong hold 1 time, stones 1 time and stony 1 time.  What makes this interesting is that there is another Hebrew word for rock, צוּר tsur (H6698).  It is in the Bible 78 times.  צוּר tsur (H6698) is translated rock 64 times, strength 5 times, sharp 2 times, God 2 times, beauty 1 time, edge 1 time, stones 1 time, mighty One 1 time and strong 1 time.  Although both have the meaning of a rock, figuratively they point to different things.  צוּר tsur (H6698) is often used to describe God in a figurative meaning.  Whereas סֶלַע sela (H5553) describes Messiah or salvation in a figurative meaning.

Additionally, these rocks had names, Bozez and Seneh.  Bozez means surpassing white, glistening and Seneh means thorny.  One was northward, Michmash, it means hidden and southward was Gibeah, hill.

When Johnathan was passing though these two rocks.  He was passing through the dividing line of the world and the light of God.  He would find salvation from his enemies as he passed through.  Judgment was hidden from those in the hills.

1 Samuel 14:6-7

⁶ And Jonathan said to the young man (naar) that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that Yehovah will work for us: for no restraint to Yehovah to save by many or by few. ⁷ And his armorbearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart (lebab).  Turn you; behold, I with you according to your heart (lebab).

Johnathan told his armorbearer that his faith was in God and victory came from God.  Yehovah can save by few or many, it does not matter.  This was something different than Saul.

There is the saying that the apple does not fall too far from the tree.  That is only true when one follows their father.  In this case, Johnathan decided to follow his Father in Heaven.  Johnathan had a different Spiritual family tree than Saul.  Johnathan’s faith was contagious and the armorbearer was with Johnathan’s heart.  Because Johnathan had a heart for Yehovah.

1 Samuel 14:8-10

⁸ Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over to men (ish), and we will reveal ourselves to them.  ⁹ If they say thus to us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them. ¹⁰ But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up: for Yehovah has delivered them into our hand: and this a sign (ot) to us.

This was Johnathan’s plan.  They would reveal themselves to the Philistines.  If the Philistines said stay until we come to you, then Johnathan and the armorbearer would go no further.  If the Philistines said come to us, then Johnathan and the armorbearer would go to them.  Then they would know that Yehovah had delivered the Philistines into their hands.

What is missing in Johnathan’s plan was how could they possibly be able to defeat the Philistines, a much larger and better equipped force.  If you are thinking that, then you are misunderstanding Johnathan’s plan.  He knew where victory would come from, Zechariah 4:6.

⁶ Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This the word of Yehovah to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says Yehovah of hosts.

Johnathan knew where the victory would come from.  Johnathan had heard in the Spirit.  He only needed confirmation of the sign.  Just as Gideon did long ago, Judges 7:9-15.

⁹ And it came to pass the same night, that Yehovah said to him, Arise, get you down to the host; for I have delivered it into your hand. ¹⁰ But if you fear to go down, go you with Phurah your servant down to the host: ¹¹ And you shall hear what they say; and afterward shall your hands be strengthened to go down to the host.  Then went he down with Phurah his servant to the outside of the armed men that in the host. ¹² And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. ¹³ And when Gideon was come, behold, a man (ish) that told a dream to his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came to a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. ¹⁴ And his fellow answered and said, This nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: into his hand had Redeemer delivered Midian, and all the host. ¹⁵ And it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for Yehovah has delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

Both Gideon and Johnathan had a word in the Spirit and confirmation as Yehovah had said.  Both went with their armorbearer.  Today, we have both and we have something greater than an armorbearer.  All we need to do is go forth in His power and live a fulfilled life in the Spirit, Psalm 118:5-10.

⁵ I called upon Yehovah in distress.  Yehovah answered me in a large place.  ⁶ Yehovah on my side; I will not fear what can man do to me?  ⁷ Yehovah takes my part with them that help me.  Therefore shall I see upon them that hate me.  ⁸ Better to trust in Yehovah than to put confidence in man.  ⁹ Better to trust in Yehovah than to put confidence in princes.  ¹⁰ All nations compassed me about.

But in the name of Yehovah will I destroy them.

And in Romans 8:31.

³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God for us, who against us?

Gideon and Johnathan knew where the victory would come from.  They had a heart after God in many ways.  If we too have a heart like this, we too should expect great victories.  For we know that Yehovah watches over us.  Stay in the way and look towards the Son and there you will find the Father.  Then you will know what Gideon and Johnathan knew in the Spirit.

1 Samuel 14:11-12

¹¹ And both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. ¹² And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.  And Jonathan said to his armorbearer, Come up after me: for Yehovah has delivered them into the hand of Israel.

Johnathan had his word confirmed and went forth.  His armorbearer had child-like faith in Johnathan.  Johnathan means Yehovah has given.  Yehovah had given Johnathan the victory.  Johnathan had child-like faith, but the understanding of a mature believer, 1 Corinthians 14:20.

²⁰ Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be you children, but in understanding be mature.

This is how we should operate in the Kingdom.  Child-like faith, always knowing we are secure in Him.  And, we must be mature in our understanding, so that we can be led of Him in all things.  When we learn this and apply it to our lives, we will be victorious in all we do in Him.

1 Samuel 14:13-14

¹³ And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armorbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armorbearer slew after him. ¹⁴ And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armorbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, a yoke of oxen might plow.

In the first skirmish, Johnathan and his armorbearer slaughtered 20 men.  The Philistines that saw this were no longer so confident.  Yehovah was just starting to move against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 14:15

¹⁵ And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

The Philistines were trembling, because fear was running through the Philistine army.  If a man and young boy could easily overpower twenty, what could the entire Israeli Army do?  They started to realize that maybe there were not enough Philistines in all the land.

The unfortunate thing about 1 Samuel 14:15, most translations drop an important Hebrew word.  At the end of 1 Samuel 14:15 is the Hebrew word אֱלֹהִים elohiym (H0430).  The great trembling was a result of the Redeemer of Israel passing through the Philistine’s camp.

1 Samuel 14:16

¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down.

What happened to the Philistine army did not go unnoticed by Saul’s watchmen.  They reported the condition to Saul.  He now decides to take action.

1 Samuel 14:17-19

¹⁷ Then said Saul to the people (am) that with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us.  And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not.  ¹⁸ And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring hither the Ark of Redeemer.  For the Ark of Redeemer was at that time with the Children (ben) of Israel. ¹⁹ And it came to pass, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise that in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand.

Saul has the people to do an accounting of what is occurring.  He discovers that Johnathan and his armorbearer are not present.  It is not clear what Saul surmises.  He tells the priest to bring the Ark of the Covenant.  There are some that believe Saul was asking for the Ephod.  Reason being is that Saul then tells the priest to withdraw your hand.  Possibly, Saul told them to get the Urim and Thummim.  However, there is no indication of this.  The idea of the Urim and Thummim has to do with the words in the Septuagint.  However, the Septuagint is only a word for word translation in the Torah, all other books are subject to targum.  Targum is when the translator frequently expanded his translation with paraphrases, explanations and examples, so it became a kind of sermon.  When this is done the translation is no longer 100 percent reliable as the word of Yehovah.  It has become more of a commentary built into scriptures.

Either way, the Hebrew is not clear what exactly Saul had in mind.  What is clear Saul had made the decision to not let the opportunity go by and decides to attack the Philistines.  Saul may have believed he had gotten his word.  However, this is not clear.  One should always confirm in the Spirit, whether still small voice or other Spiritual means.

1 Samuel 14:20

²⁰ And Saul and all the people (am) that with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s (ish) sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

Saul assembled all the people, this is when they saw that the Philistine’s swords were against their own forces.  This was not the first time this happened.  Midianites did this very thing when Gideon had his men sounded the shofar, Judges 7:21-22.

²¹ And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. ²² And the three hundred blew the shofars and Yehovah set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, to Tabbath.

When Yehovah is for us, He fights our battles.  This is why Paul tells us in Romans 8:37.

³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

When we walk with Him in the way, He protects us so that we can maintain our course in life.  This is why we are more than conquers, Yehovah is doing the conquering for us.  So that we can fulfill Matthew 11:28-30.

²⁸ Come to Me, all that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke easy, and My burden is light.

As we do His work, He wants us to rest.  This is so we can be more effective in our service to Him.

1 Samuel 14:21-22

²¹ Moreover the Hebrews were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp round about, even they also to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. ²² Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.

Many more gather with Saul and Johnathan.  This is similar to what happened with Gideon, Judges 7:23-24.

²³ And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites. ²⁴ And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters to Bethbarah and Jordan.  Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters to Bethbarah and Jordan.

When God moves, the numbers swell as it did on Shavous in Acts 2 and will in the Millennium.  But why wait?  We ought to be like Johnathan and Gideon on the leading edge.

1 Samuel 14:23

²³ So Yehovah saved (yasha) Israel that day: and the battle passed over to Bethaven.

Yehovah executed a great victory that day; however, all was not well.  Things were about to go South, 1 Samuel 14:24-26.

²⁴ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed the man that eats food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies.  So none of the people tasted food. ²⁵ And all the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. ²⁶ And when the people (am) were come into the wood (yaor), behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

All the men of Israel became distressed, because Saul stated, cursed the man that eats food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies.  One has to really wonder why Saul would do such a thing.  Maybe Saul never heard the adage that an army travels on their stomach.  Did not Saul realize in making this oath, he was limiting his own victory?

A study of Saul’s life would lead one to a number of inconsistencies.  However, what is never inconsistent, Saul put his needs above others.

Why did the honey show up?  Was this in itself something Yehovah did, so the people and Saul would be faced with a difficult decision?

The men get into the woods and there is honey on the ground; however, they feared the oath more than their own strength that day.  Saul had created a commandment beyond what was necessary.  It is highly unlikely that God would give such a commandment.

1 Samuel 14:27

²⁷ But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod (matteh) that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

Johnathan had not heard the oath.  As such, he had no problem eating the honey.  It is questionable if Johnathan had initially heard it, would he have complied?  Johnathan put the needs of Israel above his own, 1 Samuel 23:16-18.

¹⁶ And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood (choresh), and strengthened his hand in Redeemer. ¹⁷ And he said to him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you; and that also Saul my father knows. ¹⁸ And they two made a covenant before Yehovah: and David abode in the wood (choresh), and Jonathan went to his house.

Johnathan placed Yehovah’s will over his own.  He was not interested in his own glory.  He would rather serve David than rule unjustified.  Johnathan was not self seeking, something he learned somewhere other than Saul.  Or possibly, Johnathan saw his father for what he was and chose another Father to serve, Yehovah.

1 Samuel 14:28

²⁸ Then answered one of the people, and said, Your father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed the man that eats food this day.  And the people were faint.

For the first time Johnathan hears of Saul’s oath that the men could not eat until Saul had his victory that day.  Johnathan could see that he was enlightened and the men were faint.  Johnathan’s reply to this man is very telling.

1 Samuel 14:29-30

²⁹ Then said Jonathan, My father has troubled the land: see, I pray you, how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰ How much more, if maybe the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?

In Johnathan’s mind, his father had caused unnecessary trouble.  Troubled comes from the Hebrew word עָכַר akar (H5916).  It is in the Bible 14 times.  עָכַר akar (H5916) is translated trouble 12 times, stirred 1 time and troubler 1 time.  It refers to one that disturbs or afflicts.  It is first used in Genesis 34:30.

³⁰ And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have troubled (akar) me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

This is after Simeon and Levi slew the inhabitants of Shechem.  Because of this, judgment came against Simeon and Levi in Genesis 49:5-7.

⁵ Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty their habitations. ⁶ My soul, come not you into their secret to their assembly, my honor, be not you united.  For in their anger they slew a man and in their self-will they dug down a wall. ⁷ Cursed their anger, for fierce and their wrath, for it was cruel.  I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

This became a reality in the dividing of the lands.  Simeon’s inheritance was within Judah and Levi was scattered throughout Israel.  Neither had an inheritance primarily of their own.

עָכַר akar (H5916) is used twice to describe what happens if one takes anything from Jericho for themselves.  It was eventually used twice to describe what Achan had done.  Jephthah used it to describe his situation because of an unnecessary vow in Judges 11:30-31.

³⁰ And Jephthah vowed a vow to Yehovah, and said, If You shall without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, ³¹ Then it shall be, that whatsoever comes forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be Yehovah’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

Jephthah’s vow was unnecessary, because God already intended to move on the behalf of Israel.  It ended up with the death of Jephthah’s only daughter.  Jephthah had gone beyond what was necessary on his own.  This was similar to what Saul did.

Ahab used it to describe Elijah; however, Elijah uses it against Ahab to his face.  The remainder of its uses are in Psalms and Proverbs.  It is always a serious charge against an individual.  As in Proverbs 15:6.

⁶ In the house of the righteous is much treasure.  But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble (akar).

So when Johnathan accuses his father of being עָכַר akar (H5916) a troubler, this was no small accusation.  Johnathan more than likely saw his father as causing undue hardship for no reason other than for Saul’s own self-absorbed reason and glory.

1 Samuel 14:31

³¹ And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

Although they did not eat, Israel slaughtered the Philistines; however, they were faint.  This resulted in something that made the day even worse.

1 Samuel 14:32

³² And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew on the ground: and the people did eat with the blood.

After a day of intensive battle, the Israelites were faint and needed something to nourish their bodies.  It is no surprise that they just slew the animals and ate them with the blood.  In light of this, Saul’s reasoning for his oath seems obtuse and overtly burdensome.  Just like all laws and oaths that are not in line with Yehovah, it does not result in righteousness.  It will eventually result in the opposite effect.  When we go beyond what is written, we often cause more problems than good.  It will cause those that would have rather been righteous to stray from the way.

1 Samuel 14:33-34

³³ Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Yehovah, in that they eat with the blood.  And he said, You have transgressed: roll a great stone (eben) to me this day. ³⁴ And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay here, and eat; and sin not against Yehovah in eating with the blood.  And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

After Saul is told that the people have eaten blood, he now does something to rectify the situation.  However, not once; does Saul admit that his oath is at the root of the problem.  Saul sets up a rock and the animals are properly slaughtered.

 1 Samuel 14:35-36

 ³⁵ And Saul built an altar to Yehovah: the same was the first altar that he built to Yehovah. ³⁶ And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man (ish) of them.  And they said, Do whatsoever seems good to you.  Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither to Redeemer.

Saul is still not satisfied with his victory over the Philistines.  He builds an Altar and asks Yehovah if they should they go after the Philistines.  The people will do whatever Saul commands.  At this point in Saul’s reign, they are still very loyal to him.  They are willing to do as Saul sees good.  However, this may not last.

1 Samuel 14:37

³⁷ And Saul asked counsel of Redeemer, Shall I go down after the Philistines? will you deliver them into the hand of Israel? But He answered him not that day.

Saul asked counsel of Yehovah through the Priests; however, no answer comes forth.  Saul realizes that he should have gotten an answer or possibly the priests told him that a sin occurred.  Either way, Saul determines that something is not right.

1 Samuel 14:38-39

³⁸ And Saul said, Draw you near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin has been this day. ³⁹ For, as Yehovah lives, which saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.  But not among all the people (am) answered him.

Saul realizes that a sin had been committed, so he divides between him and Johnathan and the people.  At this point, Saul has no idea what has happened.  The men know, but they are not saying.  What happened to their unquestioning loyalty?  One can only postulate why.  Chances are no one wants to arouse the king’s wrath.

1 Samuel 14:40-42

⁴⁰ Then said he to all Israel, Be you on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.  And the people (am) said to Saul, Do what seems good to you. ⁴¹ Therefore Saul said to Yehovah Redeemer of Israel, Give a perfect.  And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people (am) escaped. ⁴² And Saul said, Cast between me and Jonathan my son.  And Jonathan was taken.

It seems as if the people are becoming unwilfully compliant.

What makes this thought-provoking is that Saul made an oath in 1 Samuel 14:24.

²⁴ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed the man that eats food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies.  So none of the people tasted food.

• Saul’s oath was about his enemies as opposed to Israel’s.
• It was Johnathan that put his faith in Yehovah and went forth.
• Johnathan was the antecedent for the victory. Without Johnathan, Saul may not have gone forth.
• When Saul asked for a word whether to continue, Yehovah did not answer.
• Prior to all this, Saul makes it seem as if he had to do an offering before Samuel arrived, because he was concerned that the people would depart.
• Then Saul asks for a perfect or unblemished lot.

Johnathan was taken.  The question is, what was the meaning of Johnathan was taken?

1 Samuel 14:43-44

⁴³ Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done.  And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod (matteh) that was in my hand, and, lo, I must die. ⁴⁴ And Saul answered, Redeemer do so and more also: for you shall surely die, Jonathan.

Saul questions Johnathan and he tells Saul what has happened.  What makes this somewhat veiled is the rod that was used.  Rod comes from the Hebrew word מַטֶּה matteh (H4294).  It is in the Bible 251 times.  מַטֶּה matteh (H4294) is translated tribe 183 times, rod 52 times, staff 15 times and staves 1 time.  There are actually several words for rod in the Bible.  However, most of the words for rod or tribe come principally from one of two Hebrew words.  מַטֶּה matteh (H4294) and the other word is שֵׁבֶט shevet (H7626).  It is in the Bible 190 times.  שֵׁבֶט shevet (H7626) is translated tribe 140 times, rod 34 times, sceptre 10 times, staff 2 times and 4 miscellaneous words.

מַטֶּה matteh (H4294) is often used to symbolizes spiritual power, such as Moses’ rod, Aaron’s rod and the sorcerers’ rods.  It is more widely used in Torah than שֵׁבֶט shevet (H7626).  It is interesting that Johnathan’s rod was מַטֶּה matteh (H4294).  It may have been more than just a rod.  It may have been a spiritual strengthening by Yehovah.

In all this, what was Yehovah telling Saul?  Yehovah brought the victory that day through Johnathan.  Saul was self seeking in many ways.  Johnathan was for the people.  Was Yehovah attempting to show Saul something, because God knew Johnathan would be protected?

1 Samuel 14:45

⁴⁵ And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great Yeshua in Israel? God forbid: as Yehovah lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has wrought with Redeemer this day.  So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

The people understood what had just happened.  This victory was not of Saul, it was of Yehovah and Johnathan was the instrument of the victory.  Where is the people’s unquestioning loyalty for Saul?  This may be the beginning of the unfolding of Saul.

Further, it was not just a victory it was Yeshua in Israel.  Saul had to relent, but what did Saul learn?  One chapter later, he will repeat many of the same mistakes again.

1 Samuel 14:46-48

⁴⁶ Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place. ⁴⁷ So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. ⁴⁸ And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.

Saul had wars on all sides and Yehovah delivered them.  Did Yehovah deliver because of Saul or Israel?  This is a question we all have to meditate on.  Was Saul in the will of Yehovah?  Or was Saul just fortunate for a time, until Yehovah brought His full purpose and will?

1 Samuel 14:49-51

⁴⁹ Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: ⁵⁰ And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain (sar) of his host Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. ⁵¹ And Kish the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner the son of Abiel.

Saul had 3 sons and 2 daughters.  There were 5, a decision had to be made.  Which way would Saul go?

1 Samuel 14:52

⁵² And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong (gibbor) man (ish), or any valiant (chayil) man (ben), he took him to him.

It is interesting that Saul had so many wars and his main concern was to build a force of warriors.  This may explain why Saul will eventually overlook David.  David was a shepherd and a lover of the people.  But this did not make David any less valiant.

In all of this, Saul’s nature come shining through.  This is unfortunate for Saul, it was the reason for Saul’s downfall.

As for us today, we need to find a humble heart within us that allows Yeshua to shine through.

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