And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.
1 Samuel 13:5 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.5.KJV
Having read through Israels history up to this point,
I can easily tell what this seemingly looming danger from such an impregnable army meant and what best response of Israel should be and how this will turn out.
- Though the army was impossibly large to defeat with their chariots etc, it was actually a set up for God to show his great might in lives if his people and for He God to make a name for himself – something God loves to do.
He loves to do things that leave a lasting impact transcending generations and here was fine opportunity to do so
- Israel 🇮🇱 best response was not to fear but 😱 to wait on the lord for his instructions and directions as in time past, which they did
- And of course it will turn out victorious for them and for God’s name to be glorified.
In practice it is easier said, to not fear 😱 in the face of death is no childs play.
No wonder when the people waiting and Samuel did not show up they fled.
But why would Samuel be late when 100s of thousands of lives and the life of the nation were at stake.
Maybe he was praying to hear from God without whom his coming to mKe sacrifices was in vain.
This is my conjecture In that wait for God that the people began to disperse.
Either ways Samuel was late for a reason and Saul could not wait.
Many things would come against us but as we trust in the lord our God.
He would come through for us. Through thick and thin.
https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.5.KJV
NOTE 2
The more one reads about the dealings of God with his people, the more faith is stirred and the more likely one would face challenges head on knowing the lord is with you.
And he who has done marvelously in time past for you or others would come through for you as well.
That is why it is important to read the history of God for faith cometh by hearing and by hearing the word of God.
Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
This battle was not orchestrated by God but God always came through for his people whenever the took the changing scenes of life and it’s challenges and make it an attack against God and his covenant children 🧒.
Then now that God has been made a part of the equation he come through for his children.
So as life happens as it does to us all, we must wait on the lord and seek his face 😔, in prayer and in fasting always and as we do he come through for us.
We must never give up but continue in all manner of prayers until he pulls through for us.
Ephesians 6:18 KJV
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.5.KJV
NOTE 3
Why did Jonathan attack the garrison of the philistines and call for such war and trouble.
Yet it is not recorded that anyone complained but naturally it is very likely.
I can imagine the murmurings of why the kings son went to attack the garrison of the philistine knowing very well Israel was under control of philistines.
And I can imagine Jonathan responding that ‘we are the children of God and we cannot continue to allow these uncircumcised philistines to rule over us.
I can imagine him saying to hsi servants as he did sometime later that God is able to bring Victory ✌️ with little or with few.
How did Jonathan know such things. Obviously he had heard stories of what God did in time past and even more recently when Gis thundered ⚡ against the philistines in the times of prophet Samuel who was still alive to testify.
And how his father was anointed through divine Orchestrations…
He was tired of the stories and went straight into action, putting to test the word of the lord 🙌.
The land was theirs given by the God of heaven himself.
Why had they not taken it all this while.
Why were the people so cold ❄ and faithless to do the things of God.
His blood was boiling and I can imagine the people shutting him up as youthful exuberance.
Jonathan was a man of faith and now wonder when he met David he knew he had met the brother he never had.
Their bond was immediate and knew no bounds.
David was the king 👑 father could not be, the king he wanted his father to be but rather disappointingly would not but rather walked in constant rebellion. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.5.KJV
therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
1 Samuel 13:12 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.12.KJV
You can’t break the law of God to please 😌 the lord.
This is what we see many Christians and Pastors do today.
Breaking the laws of God, dubbing the people of God to build 🏢 a church ⛪ for the lord.
A church built through deception and lies.
Saul here did foolishly.
No one ever in the history of Israel after the law offered burnt offering who was not a levites.
Saul only did this because he was a king 👑 and it had entered his head. 🤕
He felt he could do anything and this is obvious in his later posturing whenever he did the wrong thing and even in his attitude to Samuel – the man who made him king 👑.
Even Samuel was afraid 😨 Saul could kill him at a point.
Not so with David who when he was in error the prophet Nathan or was it Gad rebuked him.
And when his throne was tsken from him, he accepted the fate of God for him and prayed for mercy whiles of course taking pragmatic measures as he did not know if it was fully the will of God or not.
Having mentioned pragmatism, I’m reminded of Nathan who though a prophet of God took practically measure to ensure Solomon was made king 👑 according to the word of the lord. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.12.KJV
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
1 Samuel 13:14 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.14.KJV
Ah, how did Samuel know this, i mean how did God search out a man so quickly when Saul had barely just finished sacrificing
This goes to show how unpardonable the sin of Saul was.
The moment he started searching out a lamb or bullock for a burnt offering the lord rejected him and searched out a worthy replacement in David. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.14.KJV
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
1 Samuel 13:23 KJV COMMENTARY https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.23.KJV
Since Israel did not come out to war the dominion of philistia was established once more and they entrenched their dominion further. https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.13.23.KJV