Saul Can’t Seem to Get It Right

Text: 1 Samuel 14:16-30

Reflection and Question: Jonathan and his armor bearer were already winning the fight in the Philistine camp when Saul, his father, finally brought his soldiers into the battle. Then, in an action that only served to weaken his army, Saul promised God that no Israelite would eat before the fight ended. The final mis-step is Jonathan’s violation of his father’s vow when he eats some precious honey. When you, like Saul here, can’t seem to get it right, how is God’s mercy real for you?

Prayer: Most loving God, there are times when we miss the start of the action, as Saul does here, and times when our promises to You are foolish and misdirected, troubling others like Jonathan. Have mercy on us, O God. Correct us and set us on our feet again. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).