Sunday, February 8, 2004
Usual Abstinence (Wed & Fri)
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Kellia: 1 Kings 14:16-30 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (Tone 1) Gospel: St. Luke 15:11-32
1 Kings 14:16-30 LXX (1 Sam. 14:16-30), especially
vs. 23, "So the Lord delivered Israel that day...." The battle against the Philistine forces at
Michmash divides into three sections: Jonathan's successful, initial assault against the guards on
the enemy's perimeter (1 Kngs. 13:19-14:15), the ensuing chaos within the Philistine camp which
mobilized the Israelite troops (1 Kngs. 14:16-30), and two events that occurred in the immediate
aftermath of the engagement (1 Kngs. 14:31-35 and 1 Kngs. 14:36-46).
In making an overview of the battle of Michmash, one is struck by what the Lord accomplished
(1 Kngs. 14:23) - by providing two outnumbered warriors as an example, He mobilized all His
people. It is especially worthy to note that the repercussions of Jonathan's bold display of faith
stirred God's People into forceful combat despite Saul's repeated, inept actions as a commander
of the armies of God. Observe how the Lord encourages us, through the present account, to dare
risking in faith, by demonstrating that He strengthens the resolve of those who act boldly for Him
and uses their daring to enliven other Christians to act as well.
The Israelite lookouts suddenly realized that there was a major disruption going on in the
Philistine camp. The "multitude was surging hither and thither" (vs. 16) in the enemy camp.
This change brought Saul out of a passive mode. He began to assess his immediate situation.
Who was present? He instituted a count to "see who has gone from us" (vs.17). Further, he
directed the priest Ahijah, "Bring the ephod; for he carried the ephod in that day before Israel"
(vs. 18 LXX). (Note: versions that speak of the ark at this point overlook the fact that the ark of
the Lord remained at Kiriath-jearim throughout Saul's reign.)
What the king thought to do by his directions to the priest was to consult God through priestly
divination and to seek directions for responding to the disturbance in the Philistine camp.
However, mounting evidence revealed that serious chaos was building in the enemy
encampment: "every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion"
(vs. 20). The Lord used plain evidence to rouse the king fully from his lethargy, so Saul told the
priest to stop the divination: "Withdraw your hand" (vs. 19).
Not only the king finally was stirred into action by the fallout of Jonathan's attack, but the
Hebrew slaves in the enemy camp turned on their Philistine masters (vs. 21). Furthermore, "the
men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines
were fleeing, [and so] they too followed hard after them in the battle" (vs. 22). God used a
skirmish to move His people into action and to achieve a rout. Remember that when Saul took
up a defensive position at Geba of Benjamin, he had only 600 men with him (1 S. 13:15). The
Septuagint reports that as the battle ranged down hill toward Beth-aven, that "all the people with
Saul were about ten thousand men" (vs. 23 LXX). See the power of God through two men!
This present account concludes, with another inept action of King Saul: the issuing of a general
order: "Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies"
(vs. 24). Rather than direct his troops not to divert from battle to feast on plundered food from
the Philistines, the king issued a foolish command against all food, and included an extreme
penalty for eating. Ironically, his own son, the model warrior of the day, was the one who
inadvertently broke the rule. Still, Jonathan benefitted by his act: "his eyes became bright"
(vs.27), and he saw that even a greater victory could have been gained (vss. 29, 30).
Grant us, O Lord, knowledge, both of what we should do and of how to set about it, that we may
acquire only Thee rather than all transient possessions. (St. Ephraim the Syrian)
