Calendar

SAUL’S INDECISIVE LEADERSHIP HURT HIS ARMY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
1 Samuel 14:24-52

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

 

“There is nothing better for a man, than
that he should eat and drink, and that he

should make his soul enjoy good in his labour.”

 

SAUL’S INDECISIVE LEADERSHIP HURT HIS ARMY
 
King Saul gave an order that had its shortcomings. Jonathan did not hear when Saul forbade the people with an oath to eat anything. It was eventually revealed that Jonathan had tasted honey in the bush. He was not aware of Saul’s oath that forbade satisfying the appetite for food.
 
In the midst of fighting with his enemies, Saul adjured the people with a curse that they should not taste anything for a whole day. While the king said this, Jonathan was out battling the Philistines and the Lord gave him great victory. His two-men army did great exploits. Many of the people knew about Jonathan’s success in weakening the enemy. This gave an advantage to the army of Israel which the king led. As they went to battle, they had to adhere to the charge of the king. Any violation of the oath was punishable by death.
 
King Saul did not reason wisely, because going for a whole day without food for an army is suicidal. Jonathan understood this, but the people were afraid of the order of the king. There was much honey in the way they passed in the bush. However, they could not touch it for fear of the oath. The king did not give a thought to the condition of his men being in a warfront and deprived of that physical necessity. Seeking the mind of the Lord before making an oath would be much better.
 
THOUGHT: Good leadership requires wise and godly foresight.

PRAYER: Father, grant the leaders of Thy people much wisdom.

Search