I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Samuel 14-15.

    There are several different things worth exploring in this passage: Jonathan’s impromptu attack on the Philistine camp, Saul’s ill-advised command and oath, and Saul’s war against the Amelekites. Jonathan demonstrated a simple, and practical, faith in God. He was willing to attack the Philistine camp because he trusted God (and probably a bit because he was cocky). He asked for guidance from God in what he was doing in as much of an impromptu manner as he set off on this mission in the first place, but he asked for guidance nevertheless. In his ill-advised command that no one in the Israelite army eat anything before evening Saul demonstrated his tendency to get caught up in the moment. In making this oath and command, Saul did not want his army to pause in taking advantage of the victory they had gained, but by doing so he reduced their efficiency.

    The story of Saul’s war against the Amelekites tells us a lot about Saul. In particular, we get that insight in Samuel’s rebuke of Saul for not following the command he was given from God, “Although you may think little of yourself…” The reason Saul did not order the destruction of all of the possessions of the Amelekites was that his army wanted those things. It may be that Saul did genuinely intend to sacrifice all of the goods they brought back at Gilgal, but even there it was in order to throw a big feast/party which would make the people happy and, theoretically, further cement their loyalty to Saul. This whole event shows us Saul’s insecurity, which first manifest when he hid among the baggage when Samuel wanted to first proclaim him king over Israel. Saul’s failure to lead the people to follow God’s commands when popular opinion went a different direction were his downfall. Saul did not kill Jonathan for violating his command not to eat before evening because of the backlash from his army (probably a good thing).
    Here he did not follow God’s command to completely destroy the Amelekites and their possessions because his army wanted to keep the best of their things (a bad thing). While in the short term a leader who follows the winds of popular opinion may be successful, in the long run, only a leader who follows the will of God will build an organization which lasts. There is a metaphor I have often heard to describe the difference between a false leader and a true leader. A false leader sees which way the people are going and gets out in front of them. They may even turn it into a parade. However, a true leader sees which way people should be going and calls them to follow him in that direction. Saul showed in his first act as king, the rescue of the people of Jabesh Gilead, that he was capable of being the latter. However, because of his insecurities he became the former. All too many leaders in the Church today are the former as well. If you wish to be the latter sort of leader you need to be willing to follow God’s direction even if no one follows you.