1 Samuel 13 & 14: The LORD Saved Israel
Verse of the Day: (14:23) So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
1. Seek (13:1-23)
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee. (13:14)
A moment of folly a lifetime or even an eternity of regret. King Saul was to ask counsel of God through Prophet Samuel at the appointed time as to how he would overcome the Philistines who completely outnumbered Israel. However, Samuel turned up late, and Saul disobeyed God by sacrificing the burnt offering himself, without waiting for Samuel, who was the only one able to offer the sacrifice to God. Samuel then prophesied that God shall remove Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin, from the throne, and shall replace him with David, of the tribe of Judah, whom God had sought him because his heart was after God’s own heart. David shall not only be the king of Israel, but more importantly, he shall be the ancestor of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. Indeed, let us truly believe in Jesus, and we shall have everlasting life with Him for all eternity. (Acts 13:21-24)
2. Save (14:1-35)
And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. (14:14)
Jonathan, Saul’s son, fully trusted God, and was wiser and braver than Saul, as he made successful exploits over the Philistines. However, Saul made several blunders and one of them was during the battle with the Philistines, when he ordered Israel to fast otherwise they would be cursed. Little did he know that it was his son who was cursed. Let us fully trust God, and know that only He can save us from hell to heaven. (Romans 10:8-10)
3. Salvation (14:36-52)
And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. (14:45)
If not for Israel pleading with Saul to spare Jonathan, who was instrumental in the great victory over the Philistines, he would have killed his own son. This demonstrated the character of Saul that he was a ruthless and selfish man even though he was the king. Indeed, salvation is only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus, and just like He saved Jonathan from the curse, He shall also save us from Satan’s curse. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for saving my soul from fiery hell to glorious heaven.
