I Samuel 13 – 14 and My Shot Bag

I Samuel 13 – 14

Saul was king of Israel from the time he was thirty until he was seventy-two.

In today’s lesson, we are introduced to Jonathan, son of Saul. Jonathan was a brave fighter. With just 1000 of his father’s select army of 3000, he attacks and defeats the garrison of Philistines at Geba. After this, Saul summons the rest of the entire army to join him at Gilgal.

The Philistines had a powerful army, as well. They gathered 6000 charioteers, 3000 chariots and “as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore” to camp at Micmash. Israel’s initial response to this was to hide in caves or anywhere else they could. Some even escaped across the Jordan into Gad and Gilead.

Although Saul’s men were trembling with fear, they stayed in Gilgal with Saul – all except those that managed to slip away. Since Samuel had told Saul he would arrive within seven days to sacrifice the burnt offering, Saul waited for Samuel. He didn’t come by the seventh day so Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. Samuel was appalled when he arrived and tells Saul that his kingdom must end. The Lord had already sought out a man after his own heart.

Samuel leaves and Saul finds out he only has 600 men left. Since there were no Israelite blacksmiths – the Philistines wouldn’t allow it, only Jonathan and Saul had swords and spears. While the army is camped, Jonathan takes his armor-bearer and goes over to the Philistine army’s outpost. We get a brief glimpse of Jonathan’s faith when he says, “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few.”

Jonathan and his armor-bearer kill 20 Philistines, whose bodies were scattered over about half an acre. The Philistine army panics, an earthquake stikes and everyone was terrified. Saul realizes something is happening and calls together his army to strike the enemy. He finds the Philistines killing each other. He is joined by those who had been hiding and even by some Israelites who had joined the Philistines. The Lord saved Israel that day.

But, Saul, in his arrogance and desire for revenge, had placed a curse on anyone in his army who ate before evening. Jonathan knew nothing about it and ate some honey. He pointed out how foolish his father was since the food refreshed him and would have done the same for any of the people.

Saul is an interesting man. He thought nothing of sacrificing the burnt offering when he was not supposed to, but was appalled by the Israelites eating animals with the blood still in them. He provides a place for them to slaughter the animals properly.

When Saul asks God if they should go after the Philistines, he gets no reply. He realizes something is wrong and eventually discovers that his flippant curse had landed on his son, Jonathan. Fortunately, the army keeps Saul from killing Jonathan, when Saul says he must die.

Saul had great success fighting against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. He even conquered the Amalekites. He never truly conquered the Philistines, but he fought with his whole life. Just as Samuel warned, whenever Saul saw “a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army.

We also learn a little about Saul’s family. Saul and his wife Ahinoam had three sons: Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malkishua. He had two daughters: Merab and Michal. His uncle Abner was the commander of Saul’s army.

Tomorrow, it’s I Samuel 15 – 17.

My Shot Bag

Yesterday, I made myself a shot bag. It is used to help hold down a piece of leather you are trying to stamp. I also used it to practice setting snaps. This particular shot bag is filled with a plastic bag (to help keep them from coming out) of BBs.

By the way, I have used it and it works just like it’s supposed to.

I’m posting this blog a little earlier than normal because I have a leather class from 3 – 6pm and figured I’d be pretty tired by the time I got home.

Until next time…