INTRODUCTION: In this lesson, we learn from Jonathan’s faith in God and bravery in battle and from Saul’s fearfulness and foolishness in making an unreasonable oath.

1. THE ACTION OF JONATHAN (1 Samuel 14:1-12 [1] Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. [2] And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; [3] And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. [4] And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. [5] The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. [6] And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. [7] And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. [8] Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. [9] If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. [10] But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. [11] And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. [12] And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
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1. In Separating from the Army (1 Samuel 14:1-3 [1] Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. [2] And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; [3] And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
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1. Jonathan’s eagerness (1 Samuel 14:1Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
   See All...a; cp. 1 Samuel 13:3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
   See All...) – “let us go over.”
2. Jonathan’s secrecy (1 Samuel 14:1Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
   See All...b) – “he told not his father.”
3. Saul’s fearfulness (1 Samuel 14:2And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
   See All...a)
1. In the uttermost part of Gibeah
2. Under a pomegranate tree
4. Saul’s army (1 Samuel 14:2And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
   See All...b; cp. 1 Samuel 13:2Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
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5. Saul’s priest (1 Samuel 14:3And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
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1. Samuel was available (1 Samuel 13:15And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
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2. But Ahiah was subservient (cp. 1 Samuel 14:18-19 [18] And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. [19] And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
   See All...).
2. In Approaching the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:4-8 [4] And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. [5] The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. [6] And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. [7] And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. [8] Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
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1. The strength of the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:4-5 [4] And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. [5] The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
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1. Their location
2. Their army (1 Samuel 13:5And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
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2. The strength of Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
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1. His righteous cause
1. Against “these uncircumcised” (see Judges 14:3Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
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2. Is there not a cause? (1 Samuel 17:29And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
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2. The favor of the Lord – “it may be that the LORD will work for us.”
3. The power of the Lord – “there is no restraint to the LORD” (see 2 Chronicles 14:11And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.
   See All...; Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
   See All...).
3. The courage of Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:7-8 [7] And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. [8] Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
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1. Encourages his armor bearer (1 Samuel 14:7And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
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2. Develops a plan of action (1 Samuel 14:8Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
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3. In Seeking God’s Direction (1 Samuel 14:9-12 [9] If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. [10] But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. [11] And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. [12] And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
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1. His test (1 Samuel 14:9-10 [9] If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. [10] But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
   See All...; cp. Judges 6:36-40 [36] And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, [37] Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. [38] And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. [39] And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. [40] And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
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1. If they say, Tarry (1 Samuel 14:9If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
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2. If they say, Come up (1 Samuel 14:10But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
   See All...) – this is “a sign.”
2. His answer (1 Samuel 14:11-12 [11] And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. [12] And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
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2. THE DEFEAT OF THE PHILISTINES (1 Samuel 14:13-23 [13] And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. [14] And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. [15] And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. [16] And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. [17] Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. [18] And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. [19] And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. [20] And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. [21] Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. [22] Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. [23] So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
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1. Under the Hand of Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:13-15 [13] And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. [14] And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. [15] And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
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1. Their climb up the cliff (1 Samuel 14:13And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
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2. Their slaughter of twenty men (1 Samuel 14:14And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
   See All...)
3. The trembling in the field (1 Samuel 14:15And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
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1. The Philistines
2. The earth
2. In the Sight of Saul (1 Samuel 14:16-18 [16] And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. [17] Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. [18] And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
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1. The report of the watchmen (1 Samuel 14:16And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
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2. The discovery of two missing men (1 Samuel 14:17Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
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3. The call for the ark (1 Samuel 14:18And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
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3. Before Various Enemies (1 Samuel 14:19-23 [19] And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. [20] And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. [21] Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. [22] Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. [23] So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
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1. Beaten by Saul’s army (1 Samuel 14:19-20 [19] And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. [20] And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
   See All...a)
2. Beaten by themselves (1 Samuel 14:20And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
   See All...b; cp. Judges 7:22And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
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3. Beaten by the Israelites in the Philistine camp (1 Samuel 14:21Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
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4. Beaten by the Israelites out of hiding (1 Samuel 14:22Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
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5. Beaten by the Lord (1 Samuel 14:23So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
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3. THE FOOLISH OATH OF SAUL (1 Samuel 14:24-35 [24] And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. [25] And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. [26] And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. [27] But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. [28] Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. [29] Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. [30] How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? [31] And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. [32] And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. [33] Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. [34] And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. [35] And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
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1. Robbing the People of Strength (1 Samuel 14:24And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
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1. Cursed for eating food
2. Until the evening
2. Tempting the People Unjustly (1 Samuel 14:25-26 [25] And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. [26] And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
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1. Honey on the ground
2. Which the people feared to eat
3. Cursing His Unknowing Son (1 Samuel 14:27-29 [27] But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. [28] Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. [29] Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
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1. Jonathan eats the honey (1 Samuel 14:27But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
   See All...; see Proverbs 24:13My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
   See All...).
2. Jonathan is informed of the oath (1 Samuel 14:28Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
   See All...).
3. Jonathan denounces the oath (1 Samuel 14:29Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
   See All...).
4. Decreasing the Victory That Day (1 Samuel 14:30-31 [30] How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? [31] And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
   See All...)
5. Causing the People to Sin (1 Samuel 14:32-35 [32] And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. [33] Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. [34] And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. [35] And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
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1. They ate animals with the blood (1 Samuel 14:32And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
   See All...; Leviticus 17:10-14 [10] And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. [11] For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. [12] Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. [13] And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. [14] For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
   See All...).
2. Saul corrects this sin (1 Samuel 14:33-34 [33] Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. [34] And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
   See All...).
3. Saul builds an altar to the Lord (1 Samuel 14:35And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
   See All...).
1. His first altar
2. After God rejected him (1 Samuel 13:12-14 [12] Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. [13] And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. [14] But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
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4. THE DELIVERANCE OF JONATHAN (1 Samuel 14:36-46 [36] And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. [37] And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. [38] And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. [39] For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. [40] Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. [41] Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. [42] And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. [43] Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. [44] And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. [45] And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. [46] Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
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1. God’s Refusal to Answer (1 Samuel 14:36-37 [36] And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. [37] And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
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1. Saul’s attempt to correct his mistake (1 Samuel 14:36And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
   See All...a); since he failed to win because of his foolish oath, he sought to make up by attacking at night.
2. The priest’s suggestion to ask of God (1 Samuel 14:36And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
   See All...b)
3. The Lord’s refusal to answer (1 Samuel 14:37And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
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2. Jonathan’s Condemnation by Saul (1 Samuel 14:38-44 [38] And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. [39] For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. [40] Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. [41] Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. [42] And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. [43] Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. [44] And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
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1. Saul’s rash condemnation (1 Samuel 14:38-39 [38] And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. [39] For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
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2. Jonathan’s perfect lot (1 Samuel 14:40-42 [40] Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. [41] Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. [42] And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
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3. Saul’s declaration of the death penalty (1 Samuel 14:43-44 [43] Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. [44] And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
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3. Israel’s Refusal to Obey (1 Samuel 14:45-46 [45] And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. [46] Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
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1. Israel’s rescue of Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:45And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
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2. Saul’s departure from the battle (1 Samuel 14:46Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
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5. THE KINGDOM OF SAUL (1 Samuel 14:47-52 [47] So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. [48] And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. [49] Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: [50] And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. [51] And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. [52] And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
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1. Saul’s Battles (1 Samuel 14:47-48 [47] So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. [48] And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
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2. Saul’s Family (1 Samuel 14:49-51 [49] Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: [50] And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. [51] And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
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1. His children (1 Samuel 14:49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
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2. His wife (1 Samuel 14:50And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
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3. His captain (1 Samuel 14:50And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
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3. Saul’s Heritage (1 Samuel 14:52And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
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1. Continual war against the Philistines
2. Continual seeking of new soldiers (see 1 Samuel 8:11-12 [11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. [12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
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CONCLUSION: What could have been the greatest victory of Saul’s reign became a time of uncertainty because of Saul’s foolish oath. Nevertheless, the people of God do experience temporary victory over the Philistines.