1Sa 14:25-30 | 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 14:25-30

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.

Jonathan Takes Honey

Jonathan has not heard the curse and is therefore free to eat the honey. He does. He is out of the reach of the curse. This is a picture of faith and law excluding each other mutually. Jonathan is like the Lord Jesus Who drank from the brook by the wayside (Psa 110:7). Jonathan enjoys, in picture, a short moment of earthly things, not worldly things. Legalism is also: forbidding each other to enjoy the earthly things. We should not exaggerate the enjoyment of earthly things either, as if enjoying them is the only thing that life consists of.

With Jonathan we see how it can be done. He tastes the honey on the way, while his eye remains focused on the battle. He does not sit down at ease to eat his belly full of honey. He tastes “a little” (1Sam 14:29; Pro 24:13 ; Pro 25:16 ; 27; cf. Jdg 7:6). The battle remains the goal. On the one hand we must learn to avoid the folly of Saul and on the other hand we must learn from Jonathan how to enjoy the earthly blessings.

As soon as Jonathan has eaten, he is told about the curse his father has made. It is said that the curse of his father is the cause of the exhaustion of the people. Curse does not give strength to do what is asked, but rather has a paralyzing effect. Jonathan is not ashamed to point out his father’s stupidity. Instead of leading his people into battle and providing them with all the means to do so, Saul places the people under a law. In so doing he plunges the people into trouble. The same is said of Achan (Jos 7:25).

Jonathan talks about how much greater the blessing would have been if his father had not acted so foolishly. Our spiritual blessing would also be greater if many among us were not so legal or worldly-minded. The danger comes from both sides. Oppression or freedom prevents a great victory.

The use of a little honey has given Jonathan strength again. This allows him to see clearly again. Honey speaks of the sweetness of natural bonds. How good can it be when a warrior in the work of the Lord takes a moment of rest and enjoys his family, his wife, his children. This gives him the strength to continue his fight. Of the commandment of the LORD it also is written that the eyes are enlightened to know what must happen (Psa 19:8b). It indicates that true enlightenment is found on the path of obedience to God’s Word.