1 Samuel 14:24-28

²⁴ Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. ²⁵ The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. ²⁶ When  they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.

²⁷ But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

²⁸ Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.” ²⁹ Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰ How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

Wedding Vow

At a wedding ceremony, the bride and groom make vows and promises. Did you write the vows you recite at your wedding or copied? Here’s a sample:

“I vow to love you, for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. I take you to be my spouse. I promise to love you in words and deeds, to do the hard work of making now into always, as long as we both shall live.”   

Beautiful and noble to hear as they seem, vows and promises are taken for granted, not just by celebrities. If wedding vows and promises originate from the one who recites it, it could be more meaningful, heartfelt or maybe sincere.

Making vows or promises may not be binding to many people. In Christian weddings, we, as believers invoke the presence of God. God is our witness. Do vows and promises made before God have consequences when disregarded?

God gave instructions to preserve marriage. It says in 1 Peter 3:5-7, ⁵ For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. ⁷Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

God’s commands for husbands and wife are guidelines to godly marriage. Marriage practically represents the relationship between Christ and His church, His bride. As a church, we have membership covenant. For church members who disregard the membership covenant, do they invite curse in their life?

1. Curse

²⁴ Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. ²⁵The  entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. ²⁶ When  they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 

King Saul may have been egocentric. He just cared about his image and did not care about others. Why did he say that he wanted to avenge himself on his enemies? King Saul had not faced the Philistines in battle yet, right?

When the Philistines prepared for war and camped within the territory of Benjamin, King Saul was so scared, and most of his men had scattered and hid. King Saul may have felt embarrassed that he was not able to bring together his soldiers to fight for their land and people against the Philistines. A proud king like Saul had to defeat his enemies to save his reputation. Good reputation is crucial.

It says in Esther 9:4, Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.

Mordecai had good reputation, and not just ordinary citizens were loyal to him, but most possibly prominent officials. Politicians with good reputation get more votes during elections. Good reputation can influence voters’ decisions.

Similarly, King Saul wanted to upgrade his reputation. His reputation was shattered when Prophet Samuel rebuked him publicly for the foolish burnt offering he made instead of obeying the command of the Lord to wait.

It says in Proverbs 22:1, A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Because of his dire desire to restore his reputation, King Saul bound his army on oath, in the hope to avenge for himself on his.  Tired and exhausted from battle, his Jonathan cannot agree with King Saul. Saul was concerned of his reputation while Jonathan was more concerned of the welfare of their soldiers.

2. Concern

²⁷ But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

 ²⁸ Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.” ²⁹ Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰ How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

After Saul was installed as king, he assigned 1,000 men under Jonathan. Jonathan attacked a Philistine outpost without the knowledge of King Saul. The Philistines heard about it and prepared for war. The Lord saved Israel after Jonathan and his armor-bearer initiated the attack. When he heard that his father King Saul bound his men of oath, Jonathan disregarded his father’s curse.

Here’s a son who disobeyed the command of a father. Is it good example?

Did God cause Jonathan to disobey because Saul disobeyed the Lord?

It says in Mark 3:25, If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

That was exactly what happened to the house King Saul. That was also the prophecy of Samuel against King Saul. It says in 1 Samuel 13:13-14,

¹³ You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.

Jonathan was supposed to be the heir of the throne of King Saul. But when Israel went war against the Philistines, King Saul and his son Jonathan died.

Another son of Saul named Ish-Bosheth was installed as king of Israel for 2 years, but he was assassinated by men who tried to seek favor from David.

Anyway, the egocentric behavior of King Saul practically exhibits that he was concerned of himself more than what God wanted for him and for Israel.

God’s commands are guidelines for godly life. Godly life is God’s righteous design for His people–to be consecrated or set apart from worldly patterns of life. To disregard of the Lord’s godly instructions has fatal consequences.

It says in Leviticus 10:1-3, ¹Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. ² So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. ³ Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said: “‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’” Aaron remained silent.

Aaron’s sons were chosen priests of the Lord by God Himself. Yet, their actions were not authorized by the Lord. And, they suffered fatal consequences. So, to avoid tragic consequences, we’ve need Christ to help us live righteously.

It says in Ephesians 5:15-18, ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

To be filled by Christ’s Spirit avoids foolish decisions and to fulfill our oath as church members and part of the Bride of the Lamb, the church.

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