Contrasting Relationships with God: 1 Samuel 14:16-23
What better way to see God at work than to be the tool in His hand? Our society says being a tool is a bad thing. Nobody wants to be used. People want to be in control. Yet, if we are in control, God is not. If we are in control, how will we see God’s hand at work? If we are in control, is it not always our hand we see at work?
As the Lord throws the Philistine camp into chaos, the Philistines start to fight each other. The Philistines see their comrades dying, but they can’t see any Hebrew foes attacking them. It would be easy to conclude the Philistines camp tore apart into factions. The next easy decision is to pick sides, find someone with whom you have an argument, and battle. God uses human emotion against the Philistines to have them fight each other.
As this happens, Saul witnesses the commotion from a distance. More evidence of Saul’s poor decision-making process appears. He calls for the ark to be brought before him, which is a good move. Saul finally takes time to consult with God about a strategy to employ. Yet, before the priest can respond, Saul tells the priest to remove his hand. Saul has decided what to do. He doesn’t take time to listen to God. He and his soldiers join the battle.
As Saul’s soldiers join the battle, the deserters see the commotion and join. The numbers in Saul’s army swell back to its original size as the Hebrew people march to victory. Yet, it wasn’t Saul’s leadership that carried the day. God’s hand carried the day.
This explains exactly why Saul joined the battle. The whole operation started with an initial successful skirmish from Jonathan and his smaller force. Now, Jonathan and his armor-bearer singlehandedly fight off another Philistine garrison. Saul has had part in neither success, although he claimed ownership of the first one. Saul doesn’t wait for input from the Lord because he knows if he doesn’t join the battle soon, he won’t be able to claim the victory. Saul’s decision to join the battle is about himself and his claim to fame.
Why else would Saul allow deserters to return to the fight? The Philistines were already in chaos. Their lines were folding. The rout was on. There was no need for Saul to step in, much less allow deserters to participate. The only reason Saul has for allowing deserters to join the battle is because he still believed he needed more human strength to carry the day. It makes his role in the rout more believable. As God proves Himself before Saul’s eyes, Saul fails to act faithfully.
Through Jonathan, God had things well under control. God fought the battle; Jonathan was merely His catalyst. Unlike his father, Jonathan was content in God’s glory. What better way to see God at work than to be the tool in His hand?
