1 Samuel 14:24-46: Honey, I Almost Killed the Kid

The Rev. Robert Moeller, Jr., pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pipestone, MN and Trinity Lutheran Church in Jaspar, MN, and St. John Lutheran Church, Trosky, MN joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 Samuel 14:24-46.

Saul makes a rash oath that no one should eat anything until he has avenged himself on his enemies. Jonathan, who did not hear the oath, ate some honey and felt refreshed. Sensing that God was not answering his prayers, he suspected that someone had broken the oath. Saul consulted the Urim and Thummim and discovered what Jonathan had done. He was ready to put Jonathan to death for this offense, but the people intervened and saved Jonathan because of his faithfulness to YHWH.

The Book of 1 Samuel beings with the unique birth of Samuel, the last judge of Israel. Soon, the people of Israel begin to press upon the aging prophet Samuel to anoint a king over them like the other nations. YHWH assures Samuel that the people are rejecting their God, not Samuel. He advises Samuel to give the people what they want. What follows is the rise and fall of King Saul, the eventual anointing and coronation of David as king, the forerunner of Jesus. It’s a true story of political intrigue and warfare, but it’s also more than that. 1 Samuel shows us God working to save his people from their enemies and even from themselves.