Honey Problems (1 Samuel 14:16-46)

The year was 1788, the middle of the Austro-Turkish War. The Ottomans marched into the city of Karánsebes ready to fight. But when they arrived they found the Austrian forces already destroyed.

Here’s what happened: After encamping to defend the city, the Austrian army sent out cavalrymen to scout across the river.^[1] They found a group of travelers who offered them some schnapps.

The weary men took advantage of this lucky find. A night of drunken indulgence followed – there were barrels of the stuff available.

Late in the evening, some Austrian infantrymen showed up. They asked to join in the party, but were denied. The mounted troops were unwilling to share the spoils. They quickly built fortifications around the barrels of schnapps to keep it from their brothers in arms.^[2]

A fistfight soon broke out. Shots were fired. Back at Karánsebes, the army assumed the Ottomans had come. Seeing troops riding toward the camp, the general ordered the artillery to open fire. By the morning thousands were dead or wounded in one of history’s worst friendly fire incidents.^[3]

Our text is a dramatic battle story. The wildly outnumbered Israelites win an upset victory over the Philistines. But these verses are less about the battle and more about the blunders of King Saul.

Last week we saw an amazing example of what can happen when God’s people walk by faith – when we trust God and submit to His leading and allow Him to use us for His good purposes.

Today we’re going to see a very different kind of example. Instead of triumph, we very nearly see tragedy. The day ends in a total fiasco. Yet, the circumstances are the same. It’s the same fight. It’s the same situation, the same opportunity, the same God willing to work.

What made the difference? In the last text we saw what happens when we walk by faith. In this one we’ll see what happens when we don’t. When we live life reacting to our circumstances or driven by our own, selfish feelings. Let me spoil the ending for you: It’s not good. It not only end in friendly fire, but it also limits God’s ability to use us for His victorious work.

1 Samuel 14:16-19 – ¹⁶ When Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction. ¹⁷ So Saul said to the troops with him, “Call the roll and determine who has left us.” They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone. ¹⁸ Saul told Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God,” for it was with the Israelites at that time. ¹⁹ While Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistine camp increased in intensity. So Saul said to the priest, “Stop what you’re doing.”

The last text had Jonathan in view. This narrative focuses on Saul. It’s going to show us again and again that Saul is not patient, he will not wait, he reacts impulsively, but his impulses are bad.

His first instinct is to say, “Who left the camp?” The real question is, “Saul, why didn’t you leave the camp? Why did you just sit under a tree while Israel was occupied and oppressed?”

Throughout Saul’s story, he’s a man without understanding. He always wants to know what to do, but because he won’t wait on God, because he won’t live by faith, because he won’t obey God’s commands, because he is self-centered rather than God-submitted, he’s always flailing in the dark.

But he does something worse than flounder here. He puts himself in authority over the priesthood.^[4] One commentator writes, “This incredible [and unthinkable] interruption of the divine pattern—[is] an action without precedent in the Bible.”^[5]

It does no good to say you want to follow God if you are unwilling to stop and wait on Him and actually allow Him to direct you. Saul acted like he wanted spiritual insight, but on his own terms.

1 Samuel 14:20-23 – ²⁰ Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there the Philistines were, fighting against each other in great confusion! ²¹ There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. ²² When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle. ²³ So the LORD saved Israel that day. The battle extended beyond Beth-aven…

The best part of this scene is not the Philistines killing each other. The best part is that deserters and defectors, traitors and cowards were allowed back into the Lord’s army.

In the human way of thinking, we’d say, “They were AWOL. They were traitors. They actually fought for our enemies. They should die for what they did.” But our God is a God of grace and mercy. A God Who doesn’t only destroy His enemies, but has made a way for His enemies to become His children. And thank God that is true. Because we were at war with God. Hostile toward Him. Sinners and rebels. At one point, the Apostle Paul lists a number of sins that disqualify people from ever inheriting eternal life and he says, “Such were some of you. But you were washed. You were sanctified. Justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”^[6]

These defectors and deserters turned from their sin. As Christians, our attitude should be, “Better late than never.” Thank goodness Peter was restored after he denied Christ. Thank goodness the father ran to embrace the prodigal son. That’s our God. A God Who restores and forgives.

1 Samuel 14:24 – ²⁴ and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: “The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

Compare this little speech to what Jonathan said last time. Jonathan was worried about what God wanted – about saving Israel. Saul makes it all about himself. “I want vengeance on my enemies.” And he’s calling curses down not on the Philistines, but his own troops!

The battle that day was going to cover upwards of 20 miles of terrain through hills and forests.^[7] Experts have estimated that a Roman soldier would burn 6,000 calories a day when in war action.^[8]

Where was Saul a few verses ago? Sitting. Doing nothing. Unable to lead or act. Now he’s swollen with pride and he forces his men to take this oath. The words can also mean Saul “played the fool.”^[9]

He tries to invoke Joshua here. Joshua once fought a hard battle and he called out to the Lord to keep the sun from going down so that the nation could take vengeance on her enemies. The difference is, Saul is not thinking of others, just himself. And Saul does not have the faith of Joshua.

1 Samuel 14:25-28 – ²⁵ Everyone went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground. ²⁶ When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it because they feared the oath. ²⁷ However, Jonathan had not heard his father make the troops swear the oath. He reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb. When he ate the honey, he had renewed energy. ²⁸ Then one of the troops said, “Your father made the troops solemnly swear, ‘The man who eats food today is cursed,’ and the troops are exhausted.”

This honey is not just a coincidence. This is a reminder of Who God is. It is a fulfillment of His generous promises. When God told Israel about the land He was giving them, how did He describe it? A land flowing with milk and honey. And here, in their hour of need, the Lord provided.

We’re told Jonathan had renewed energy. Your version may say his eyes or his countenance brightened. It means he was filled with strength.

This is what God wants to do: Renew our strength for the fight. To invigorate us for the callings He’s placed on our lives. He does not want us to live out our faith in weariness and exhaustion.

He did it for Jonathan. He did it for the children of Israel day by day for 40 years in the wilderness. He gave them manna, which “tasted like a pastry cooked with the finest oil.”^[10]

And here’s what Psalm 19 says to us:

Psalm 19:7-10 – ⁷ The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. ⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the command of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up. ⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous. ¹⁰ They are…sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. 

In other words, as you and I fight the good fight, as we navigate the hills and forests of life, God gives us His Word to nourish and strengthen us. Sweeter than honey. More precious than gold.

1 Samuel 14:29-30 – ²⁹ Jonathan replied, “My father has brought trouble to the land. Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰ How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater.”

Jonathan rightfully points out that Saul’s demand wasn’t just a bad idea, it was truly harmful. He uses the same verbs used of Achan, who caused Israel’s defeat at Ai. The same terms used of Jephthah’s rash vow that led to terrible tragedy.^[11]

It’s not wrong to call out wrongdoing. You know, there are churches out there that have formal membership and make you sign an agreement that you’ll never say anything negative about the church. Churches that demand their employees sign nondisclosure agreements to work there.

Jonathan isn’t wrong to say what he said. He’s not gossiping. If you ever find yourself at another church, don’t sign those things. It’s Saulish behavior.

Now here’s one more wonderful but subtle thing we might miss: Jonathan ate honey he found. But notice what he said: “They could’ve freely eaten from the plunder.” This indicates Jonathan took no plunder for himself. Otherwise, according to his logic, that’s what he would’ve eaten, not the honey.

1 Samuel 14:31-35 – ³¹ The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted, ³² they rushed to the plunder, took sheep, goats, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate meat with the blood still in it. ³³ Some reported to Saul, “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” Saul said, “You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once.” ³⁴ He then said, “Go among the troops and say to them, ‘Let each man bring me his ox or his sheep. Do the slaughtering here and then you can eat. Don’t sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood in it.’ ” So every one of the troops brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. ³⁵ Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

Don’t imagine they’re just eating raw goats here. It’s that they weren’t taking the time to fully drain off the blood before cooking. That’s a big no-no under the law of Moses.

In 1788, Austrian Emperor Joseph II wrote a letter about what happened in Karánsebes. He admitted he could not maintain discipline among the troops and struggled to command them.

Saul immediately reacted with hostility and accusation toward his men. He’s the one that created this situation. Yet he says, “You have been unfaithful.” But he does not pause to consider what he has been. He has been unwise. Uncaring. Unrealistic. Impatient. Legalistic. He casts himself as this righteous leader, yet the author points out Saul had never built and altar to the Lord in his life.

This is where Saul’s “leadership” brought them. Demoralized and starving and pushing boulders. He loads his men with burdens and is unwilling to lift a finger to assist them.

1 Samuel 14:36-37 – ³⁶ Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. Don’t let even one remain!” “Do whatever you want,” the troops replied.

But the priest said, “Let’s approach God here.” ³⁷ So Saul inquired of God, “Should I go after the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.

Once again, Saul acts impetuously. He’s just knee-jerking from one choice to the next. Finally, the priest says, “Hey man, how about we consult the Lord?” This is Saul’s whole problem. He won’t give his life to God. He won’t submit to God’s commands and directions. And every time Saul takes the helm of his life, trouble follows for himself and for those around him.

Notice his mindset: We need to plunder the Philistines. Jonathan’s mindset was, “We need to save Israel.” Big difference.

We’re told God did not answer. What does that mean? Well, it seems that the priests at this time would pray and ask God a question then would draw out either the Urim or the Thummim to discern an answer. So when asking, they must’ve drawn multiple times and if one stone kept coming out over and over, that was the Lord giving direction.^[12]

1 Samuel 14:38-42 – ³⁸ Saul said, “All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let’s investigate how this sin has occurred today. ³⁹ As surely as the LORD lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!” Not one of the troops answered him. ⁴⁰ So he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.”

And the troops replied, “Do whatever you want.” ⁴¹ So Saul said to the LORD, “God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If the unrighteousness is in me or in my son Jonathan, LORD God of Israel, give Urim; but if the fault is in your people Israel, give Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were selected, and the troops were cleared of the charge.

⁴² Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was selected.

This is a bad scene. Remember – these are the guys who just won a big battle. But Saul lines up against the troops as if they’re the enemy. He says, “even if it’s Jonathan, he’ll die!” Notice, he leaves himself out of that part of the oath.

Saul has no idea what’s going on, but immediately jumps to capital punishment. He’s reacting out of a desire to save face or protect his own ego. He calls himself a servant while acting like a tyrant.

1 Samuel 14:43-46 – ⁴³ Saul commanded him, “Tell me what you did.” Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die!” ⁴⁴ Saul declared to him, “May God punish me and do so severely if you do not die, Jonathan!”

⁴⁵ But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die? He accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? No, as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he worked with God’s help today.” So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die. ⁴⁶ Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory.

Fearless Jonathan. Ready to lay down his life. He reminds us of Jesus willingly going like a Lamb to the slaughter. We sing that song of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, “So gracious it’s outrageous.” And it was. The Son of God, the King of Glory, the only Person to ever live a perfect life, and they crucified Him.

Jonathan did not die that day – the people vetoed the king’s foolish demand. Israel’s wave of victory suddenly stops. The Philistines escaped. Saul was facing open mutiny. What a bad end to such a wonderful start.

After the blunder at Karánsebes, the Emperor was so demoralized he ordered the army to withdraw from their position. That war ended with a few meager gains for Austria but not much to show for all the fighting.

When we don’t walk by faith, when we’re reacting to circumstances or emotions, even victory gets spoiled. Imagine how this text ends if Saul had let God rule and guide and empower. Instead, out of selfish faithlessness, Saul tries to rule. The result is exhaustion, weakness, inability to finish the task, antagonism toward brothers.

Walking by faith matters. He will strengthen you and invigorate you as you submit yourself to the guidelines and directions given in His Word and by His Spirit. Our part is to be led. To follow our King into His purposes and callings for our lives.