"Two Men: Two Different Aims

1 Samuel 14:24-52

Pastor Josh Burrill

 

Introduction:

 

In 1 Samuel chapter 14, we see two men…father and son…whose words and actions show us two very different perspectives on life…two different aims. It is important for us to see the contrast, because all of us fall into either one or the other. We all live with either Saul’s ambition, or with Jonathan’s ambition. 

 

The aim of our lives carries consequences not only that affect ourselves, but our personal aim directly affects others within our influence. I want to show you this morning how this text helps us ensure we are living with the proper aim of life.

 

 

Read Text:

 

Explanation of Text:

 

A. Saul abandoned proper procedure and expressed concern for his own reputation. (14:18-21a, 24) 

 

His focus quickly moved from the Lord (and thus his leadership of the Lord’s people) and onto himself and his own name. 

 

Deuteronomy 20:1-4

 

“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

 

Instead of spending the proper time before the Lord, Saul cut off the priest mid-act and came up with his own plan of how to best defeat the enemy.

 

Jonathan had seen the Philistines as opponents of God’s covenant people, and thus to be the enemy of God (14:6). It was for God’s glory that Jonathan engaged the Philistine garrison, but Saul made the battle personal. Saul made it about himself, and bound his men to obey his word.

 

John Woodhouse, “The man who did not obey God in chapter 13 now made no reference to God, expressed no confidence in God, and was obsessed with avenging himself on his enemies and coercing his people into supporting him.” (249) 

 

 

B. Jonathan found relief in the midst of weary men (14:25-31)

 

To get a sense of the warriors’ weariness:

 

Gibeah to Michmash 6-8 km

Michmash to Beth Aven 6 km

Beth Aven to Aijalon 24 km

 

Like journeying on foot from Mosta to Mellieha, and then from Mellieha to Marsascala….chasing people intent on killing you.

 

v.24 distressed

v.28 faint

v.31 very faint 

 

Going through a wooded area, the men came upon combs oozing with honey. Jonathan, not present when his father made the men swear the oath, took some of the honey until he was rebuked by another soldier.

 

Jonathan pointed out that his father had troubled the land….

-I don’t think he was referring only to this oath, but to Saul’s pattern to this point.

-His disobedience in not waiting for Sameul (ch. 13)

-His inaction at the beginning of the present narrative.

 

How much stronger the army would have been had they been allowed to take of the Philistines leftovers! 

 

 C. At dark, the men disobeyed God’s command in their desperation (14:32-35)

 

 

As we consider this next section, remember that everything is happening at night and it is dark.  The actions and dialogue are all taking place under torch light. 

 

The law stated very clearly in Leviticus 17 that the Israelites were not to consume meat in which the blood had not been properly drained.  The blood represented life, life that was given as an atonement for their sin. The blood was the means whereby Israel could have a relationship with a holy God. Those ignoring God’s instructions in this regard would be cut off from God’s people.  This is how foundational the instruction was.

 

Understanding this highlights the transgression of the soldiers that night. 

 

Upon being made aware of what was happening, Saul made provision for proper procedure. 

 

 D. Saul expressed his intent to keep driving after the Philistines (14:36-37)

 

Saul’s vengeance, and opportunity to make a name for himself were not complete, so he voiced a plan to continue pursuing the Philistines by night…acknowledging Israel’s wrong-doing with the food, but being much more concerned about personal vengeance than the Lord’s honour. 

 

It was then, that the priest stepped in and urged that first they should draw near to God, and ask Him if it was His will to continue after the Philistines, and whether God would give the victory….but God gave no answer. 

 

E. Saul determined to discover whose sin was impeding his plan to increase his reputation (14:38-45)

 

Significantly, Saul did not seem to consider that it might be the wide-spread transgression that had just happened that caused God’s voice to be silent. His mind went to the oath he had placed all the men under…..not God’s commandment, but his commandment. 

 

The one who had broken his command, even if it were Jonathan his son, would die.

 

   -The casting of the lots

 

    -The admission of Jonathan

 

    -The sentence of Saul

 

    -The intervention of the people 

 

 

F. Saul’s opportunity for complete victory was lost, extending the struggle for the rest of his days (14:46-52) 

 

 

Application of Text: (In Two Questions)

 

A. What is the principal aim of our lives?  

 

        -Are we living to magnify the Lord’s glory?​

        -Are we living in pursuit of our own recognition? 

 

              

        -If we are living in pursuit of our own recognition,           we often see four things happen:

 

          1. We often act according to whim instead of                wisdom

 

          We attempt to seize an opportunity without                             thinking things through properly….We act rashly                       to force a situation, which ends up producing                         more damage than good in the end. 

 

         2.. We often use others to advance our own                ends, often at the expense of the others.

 

         3. We often become so enamoured by the                  glitter of our own self-perceived glory that we              are blinded to realities that are evident to those          around us. 

 

        4. We often miss out on the blessings of what.           could have been, had we focused on the Lord             and walked in His wisdom. 

 

      (As it was, there would be hard fighting against           the Philistines all the days of Saul’s life, and the           Philistines would kill both Saul and Jonathan on         the same day). 

 

 

      -If we are living to magnify the Lord’s glory, it l.              leads us toward these four things:

              

       1. We will acknowledge Him before we take                   action

                     -showing our need for His wisdom

                     -showing our need for His provision

 

       2. We will tell of His goodness and greatness to              others

                     -because He is worthy of recognition

                     -because it inspires others to worship                          and obedience

 

       3. We will value what he values

                      -we will seek to aid others to live                                  righteously

                      -we will seek to sympathise and show                         compassion to our fellow man;                                   especially to any under our authority.

 

         4. We will carefully seek the best means to the             best ends. 

                      -recognizing that God ordains methods                         as well as results.

                                                         

                            

 Illustration: If your relatives were to find these words written in your journal after you die, would they believe that you could have written them? (from Psalm 71)

 

15       My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,

of your deeds of salvation all the day, 

for their number is past my knowledge. 

16       With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; 

I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 

17       O God, from my youth you have taught me, 

and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 

18       So even to old age and gray hairs, 

O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. 

 

 

B. Is our life leading others into righteousness or into sin?

 

-Saul’s rash oath and action made it easier for his men to break God’s law by putting them in a situation of desperation. 

 

• And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! (Luke 17)

 

     Ephesians 6

Fathers do not provoke your children to anger….don’t drive them to the sin of disrespect and disobedience 

 

-We can do this by being selfishly overbearing

-more concerned with how their behaviour reflects on our reputation

-so concerned with accomplishing our own agenda that we don’t want them in our way.

 0r

 -We can do this by being so lax or detached that they despise our weakness or lack of concern. They hate us because we never give them the fatherly guidance they so much desire.

 

In either case, our selfishness puts a temptation to sin in front of our children, and we will be held responsible for our role in their sin.

 

On the other hand, we are commanded to positively affect others:

 

-Bring them up in the nurture and instruction of the Lord

-Make disciples (Mt 28:18-20)

-Be an example of the believer (1 Tim)

-Save ourselves and our hearers by paying attention to God’s Word. (1 Tim)

​

1 Samuel 14 teaches us that the aim of our lives carries consequences not only that affect ourselves, but our personal aim directly affects others within our influence. I hope this text this morning is guiding you to live with the proper aim of glorifying the Lord in all you do…to live for His name, and not your own.