1st Samuel 14:24-52 HE HATH WROUGHT WITH GOD
Because of his impatience Saul never got divine guidance while he waited by the ark with the priest. He finally told the priest to not bother and went about doing things his own way again. He watched the enemy flee as he stood on the high ground of Gibeah and realized Israel was winning the battle without him. So instead of having divine guidance, in the energy of the flesh he pronounced a curse instead of a blessing. His flawed leadership produced depression and gloom among the people and that clouded the victory that God was working among them. One man out of touch with God can ruin a whole work of God when he acts according to his own opinions and fleshly ambitions rather than under divine guidance.
Only the courage of the people rallied by the faith of Jonathan and his armor-bearer kept disaster from falling on the people of God. Saul's curse resulted in men being too tired to fight; so hungry that they ate blood that was forbidden by the law, and even Saul was ready to kill his own son to save himself from embarrassment. Impulsive statements are usually regretted later. When we are in times of tension and pressure, we should be extra careful about what we say and do.
Saul's legalistic bondage kept food from the people when they needed it most. The Lord Jesus by contrast, when He was here, had compassion on the hungry people and "would not send them away fasting lest they be faint..." Saul really had nothing in common with the Lord. All he had was religious form that he wanted to maintain before the eyes of the people. Also, instead of encouraging the people, Saul made them afraid of him and the result of his foolish oath. A leader who fills the hearts of the Lord's people with fear because of his rash statements and actions, is out of his place. We need to provide for their needs and show them grace when they are afraid.
Jonathan could press on in faith and carry out the work of the Lord not bound by rules and regulations imposed by men or their interpretation of religion. Legalistic practices limit the work of God by taking away the liberty we have in Christ. Religious systems have creeds and forms to follow that take the place of the guidance of the Holy Spirit that is practiced in scripturally gathered assemblies. To follow the word of God is not a legalistic practice but is obeying divine authority. Man-made interpretations that are commanded by human habits or will, does result in legalistic practices.
The soldiers of Saul's army were not only forbidden to eat food and made to fear, but they were faint and without the strength needed to complete the God-given victory because Saul had bound them all with his foolish oath. As a result of that oath, the people were in a sense, forced to sin against God by eating blood which was forbidden by law. In desperation they disobeyed God because of the king acting in the flesh. This act took place where years before the sun stood still while Joshua led the vigorous army of the Israelites to a victory that was not bound by human opinion.
A man can hinder the work of all of God's people when he acts impulsively in the flesh. Not even an altar raised up as a form or religious subjection can overcome the wrong done and the bitter results that follow. When we have done something foolish, to not back down and admit to our wrong just makes the problem worse and the error will continue. To save face a man can cause something far worse to happen to other people. It takes courage to admit to having done wrong.
A sacrifice made does not lift the darkness when there is no confession of sin. A guilty conscience isn't removed until there is repentance and turning to the Lord in faith. Sin silences the voice of God to our souls. Saul was ready to kill his own son to uphold his foolish decree rather than admit his wrong. If it hadn't been for the intervention of those people gathered around Saul and Jonathan, Jonathan would have died. The flesh, judges faith and finds it guilty by the law of sin that is more concerned with looking good than being right.
God allowed Saul to continue as king so the people would know what their choice of a king was really like. God allows wrong and evil to continue according to His own timetable for His own sovereign reasons. We can only commit ourselves and our ways to God and then trust Him to bring about the right results. The people of Israel finally woke up to see the spiritual and moral blindness of Saul who they had wanted to lead them. They were also made aware of the faith of Jonathan and the power that faith in God has when it is guided by the Lord. Jonathan's spiritual character was a great contrast to Saul's fleshly, self-centered character. Jonathan admitted to what he had done. Saul wanted to look good before the people even though they could see through his narcissism.