Bad Results from Bad Leadership: 1 Samuel 14:24-32

Rash decisions often end in situations where disobedience is the natural outcome.  When we don’t think through circumstances, we get caught by the unexpected.  Once caught, we make more rash decisions.  The cycle continues until we get lucky and escape or we spiral to the point of needing rescue.

As the battle rages, Saul notices his men are tiring.  The Bible says they were hard-pressed.  They fought valiantly, but the odds were against them.  They were working very hard for the victory they were earning.

At this point, Saul has a decision to make.  He can let the people stop, rest, and eat.  Stopping implies the risk of losing momentum and gives the Philistines an opportunity to regroup.  On the other hand, he can exhort them to continue to battle.  This decision keeps momentum but forces the soldiers to fight through depleting energy reserves.

Once more Saul finds himself in a difficult situation and manages to make a horrible emotional decision.  Rather than let the people eat or exhort them to further battle, Saul threatens his soldiers.  Saul pronounces a curse upon anyone who eats.  Rather than explaining the situation and explaining his belief in the warriors’ ability to fight even with depleting energy reserves, he chooses motivation through threats.

Jonathan returns from his foray against the Philistines and joins his father’s men.  As they pursue the enemy, Jonathan finds some honey and eats it.  He doesn’t stop.  He doesn’t encourage them men to stop pursuing the Philistines.  He grabs some honey along the way and consumes it.  The sugar within the honey sustains him and his demeanor brightens.

When the soldiers around him explain Saul’s curse, Jonathan responds honestly.  Jonathan explains his understanding of how his father troubles the nation.  He’s twice seen him use threats and curses as motivation.  He’s seen his father steal his glory.  Jonathan speaks truth despite the familial nature of the relationship.

When the battle is rejoined, the Hebrew people continue to be victorious.  God fights for them.  As the battle rages, the Hebrew people are so victorious they capture the supplies of the Philistines.  The soldiers take the animals and slaughter them, ravenously consuming the raw meat.  Fortunately, as the sun sets on the battle, Saul’s curse expires.

Consider the consequences of Saul’s leadership.  His curse leads to his own son undermining his authority.  It leads to the people being so famished they break with God’s Law and consume raw meat.  Saul’s authority doesn’t lead anywhere good.

When leaders make honorable decisions, God sustains the people.  Had Saul’s oath been of God, Jonathan wouldn’t have disobeyed – or at least he would have repented when he saw his guilt.  Had Saul’s oath been just, God would have enabled the soldiers to go about their tasks without needing to break His Law.  The effects of Saul’s leadership demonstrate the quality of Saul’s leadership.  Rash decisions often end in situations where disobedience is the natural outcome.