"It Was With God That He Acted"

Note: I do know how this happened but it was an accident. Not good doing this on phone. Sorry.

Jonathan knew nothing about his father's ill- conceive oath. Exhausted from the battle, he dipped in his staff into a honeycomb and tasted some honey; he immediately felt his strength revive. Then one of his men told him about his father's prohibition against eating, Jonathan responded: "My father has brought great trouble on the land. Look at how my eyes brightened because I tasted this little bit of honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today from the spoil of their enemies that they found! For then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been greater."  SAMUEL 14:25-30. He was right. Jonathan was a loyal Son, but his loyalty was not blind. He did immediately agree with everything his father did or said, and that balanced view earned the respect of others.

When Saul learned that Jonathan had violated the ban, he still refused to see the folly of his command. Instead, he actually believed that his own son should be put to death! Jonathan did not argue or beg for mercy. Note his remarkable reply. He selflessly said: Here I am! I am ready to die! However,  the Israelites spoke up: should Jonathan die -the one who brought this great victory to Israel? It is unthinkable! As surely as Jehovah is alive, not even a single hair of his head should fall to the ground, for it was with God that he acted this day. The result? Saul gave in to reason. The account says: "With that the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die." - 1 SAMUEL 14:43-45.

Next time:  "It Was With God That He Acted"

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