It is recommended that you also read Leviticus 5:4–6 and Joshua 7:25 with your reading from 1 Samuel 14:24–46.

• Introduction

  There are two characters who feature very prominently in 1 Samuel 13 and 14, namely Jonathan and Saul. Saul is a king like that of the nations. Physically impressive and authoritative, he walks by sight and not be faith. He wants a big army before he goes into battle. And when circumstances are difficult, he is happy to set aside God’s commands and do things as he thinks best. Jonathan, on the other hand, is the king who never was, a man who walked by faith. He is willing to put his neck on the line and take risks on the basis of God’s promises. One man against a Philistine army, but the Lord can save with many or with few.

  Thus, we have Saul and Jonathan, a positive and a negative example. They are contrasted with each other to show us what the Messiah will be like, and to make us long for his coming. That is why the Spirit has recorded these events in Scripture, and that is what we will see once again in this sermon. 

• The Lord will not be manipulated

  • Explain: why does Saul ask his men to swear an oath of abstinence? Is there sin in his motivation?

  • Explain: why does Jonathan eat the honey? What does Jonathan think about his father’s oath?

  • Explain: why do the Israelites eat meat with the blood still in it? What does Saul do in response and why?

  • Explain: what is Saul’s aim with the lot? What does he refuse to confess before God? Why does the lot fall on Jonathan?

  • Explain: what is Saul’s final rash vow and why does he make it? Why do the men act to intervene and save Jonathan?

• A king like the nations and a king who points to Jesus

  • Explain: how many rash oaths does Saul make altogether? What is the result for Israel and for Jonathan?

  • Explain: how does Jonathan contrast with Saul? How does he serve as a type of Christ?

  • Explain: contrast Saul and Jonathan with Jesus: reflect on his bravery, his wisdom, his compassion, and his coming to serve rather than to be served.

  • Apply: what will it mean for us to think carefully about the words we speak? Is our yes a yes and our no a no?

  • Apply: what will it look like if we seek our own kingdom rather than that of God? How can we look out for fellow believers rather than just focusing on ourselves?

• Prayer of response

  Heavenly Father, we thank you for the record of Scripture, and that your Spirit has given us this story of Saul and Jonathan—a positive and a negative example—to show us what the Messiah will be like, and to make us long for his coming.

  We thank you that we can live in the time of the new covenant, the time of greater revelation where we read of the work that was done by your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We rejoice to see him speaking truth in great wisdom. We rejoice when we read of his concern for your people, that he came to serve and not to be served. Thank you that he lived the perfect life in our place and that he died the death which we deserve. Like Saul, we know that we are guilty of rash oaths and seeking our own glory. We are deserving of death for our crimes. Thank you for your mercy, thank you for your grace, thank you for your Spirit, and that he has united us to Christ so that we may look forward to receive a glorious inheritance.

  As we wait for Christ’s second coming—that wonderful day when faith will be sight—please help us in the here and the now to seek your kingdom before our own. Help us to speak what is true and to look out for the interests of others. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.