1Sa 14:24 | KingComments | STEP | It is clear that the LORD is at work and that He has delivered Israel. This is the highlight of this history. We see Him standing up for His people in grace, while the people have turned their backs on Him. The army moves on to defeat the Philistines. Saul turns it into a prestige case for himself. He speaks about “my enemies”. Saul does not speak of the LORD, not of Israel, but only of himself. He puts the people under oath because of his own feelings of revenge that the people will not eat before he has avenged himself. Saul swears several times in this chapter ( ) and every time he has not kept to what he has sworn. The character of Saul’s folly is legalism. By this he imposes a commandment on the people that robs them of their strength. Thereby the people are being worn out. Faith and the taking to oneself of what God gives, gives new courage and strength. A legal mind and a constant talk about commandments and prohibitions paralyzes the people of God. People who do that, also have no room in their thinking for acts of faith like that of Jonathan. They do not like it either, because it is outside the old, familiar paths. The issuance of this severe injunction is: 1. Non-political and unwise. It may seem as if time is gained that is otherwise spent on food, but in reality, the people lose the strength for pursuit. 2. Imperious and unfriendly to the people. If the people had wanted to have a feast, there would have been something to be said for the ban, but to forbid them to use food, although they are hungry, is cruel. 3. Wicked, because Saul connects the Name of God to it through a curse and an oath. This is not the way to reign. Those who are in reign over others may reprimand and punish, but they may not curse their subjects. When David speaks of one of his enemies as someone “who loved the curse” ( ), he may mean Saul. The people are obedient to Saul’s command, but what a torment it is when they enter the forest where they see honey on the ground. This means a great temptation for the people. However, the fear for Saul is so deep in them that they do not even dare to taste the honey for fear of Saul’s curse. Saul, through his legal performance, has closed the path of the people to the blessing of the land. Canaan after all is a land that flows with honey. Here we have an example of it. They can, as it were, suck honey from the rock ( ). The sweetness would quickly give them new energy. We see this with Jonathan.

‏ 1 Samuel 14:24

Saul Prohibits to Eat Food

It is clear that the LORD is at work and that He has delivered Israel. This is the highlight of this history. We see Him standing up for His people in grace, while the people have turned their backs on Him.

The army moves on to defeat the Philistines. Saul turns it into a prestige case for himself. He speaks about “my enemies”. Saul does not speak of the LORD, not of Israel, but only of himself. He puts the people under oath because of his own feelings of revenge that the people will not eat before he has avenged himself. Saul swears several times in this chapter (1Sam 14:24 ; 39 ; 44) and every time he has not kept to what he has sworn.

The character of Saul’s folly is legalism. By this he imposes a commandment on the people that robs them of their strength. Thereby the people are being worn out. Faith and the taking to oneself of what God gives, gives new courage and strength. A legal mind and a constant talk about commandments and prohibitions paralyzes the people of God. People who do that, also have no room in their thinking for acts of faith like that of Jonathan. They do not like it either, because it is outside the old, familiar paths.

The issuance of this severe injunction is:

1. Non-political and unwise. It may seem as if time is gained that is otherwise spent on food, but in reality, the people lose the strength for pursuit.

2. Imperious and unfriendly to the people. If the people had wanted to have a feast, there would have been something to be said for the ban, but to forbid them to use food, although they are hungry, is cruel.

3. Wicked, because Saul connects the Name of God to it through a curse and an oath. This is not the way to reign. Those who are in reign over others may reprimand and punish, but they may not curse their subjects. When David speaks of one of his enemies as someone “who loved the curse” (Psa 109:17-18), he may mean Saul.

The people are obedient to Saul’s command, but what a torment it is when they enter the forest where they see honey on the ground. This means a great temptation for the people. However, the fear for Saul is so deep in them that they do not even dare to taste the honey for fear of Saul’s curse.

Saul, through his legal performance, has closed the path of the people to the blessing of the land. Canaan after all is a land that flows with honey. Here we have an example of it. They can, as it were, suck honey from the rock (Deu 32:13b). The sweetness would quickly give them new energy. We see this with Jonathan.