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trial； God could have worked His will through him。 His failure now proved
him unfit to be the vicegerent of God to His people。 He would mislead
Israel。 His will； rather than the will of God； would be the controlling
power。 If Saul had been faithful； his kingdom would have been established
forever； but since he had failed； the purpose of God must be accomplished by
another。 The government of Israel must be committed to one who would rule
the people according to the will of Heaven。
We do not know what great interests may be at stake in the proving of God。
There is no safety except in strict obedience to the word of God。 All His
promises are made upon condition of faith and obedience； and a failure to
comply with His
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commands cuts off the fulfillment to us of the rich provisions of the
Scriptures。 We should not follow impulse； nor rely on the judgment of men；
we should look to the revealed will of God and walk according to His
definite commandment； no matter what circumstances may surround us。 God will
take care of the results； by faithfulness to His word we may in time of
trial prove before men and angels that the Lord can trust us in difficult
places to carry out His will； honor His name； and bless His people。
Saul was in disfavor with God； and yet unwilling to humble his heart in
penitence。 What he lacked in real piety he would try to make up by his zeal
in the forms of religion。 Saul was not ignorant of Israel's defeat when the
ark of God was brought into the camp by Hophni and Phinehas； and yet；
knowing all this； he determined to send for the sacred chest and its
attendant priest。 Could he by this means inspire confidence in the people；
he hoped to reassemble his scattered army and give battle to the
Philistines。 He would now dispense with Samuel's presence and support； and
thus free himself from the prophet's unwelcome criticisms and reproofs。
The Holy Spirit had been granted to Saul to enlighten his understanding and
soften his heart。 He had received faithful instruction and reproof from the
prophet of God。 And yet how great was his perversity！ The history of
Israel's first king presents a sad example of the power of early wrong
habits。 In his youth Saul did not love and fear God； and that impetuous
spirit； not early trained to submission； was ever ready to rebel against
divine authority。 Those who in their youth cherish a sacred regard for the
will of God； and who faithfully perform the duties of their position； will
be prepared for higher service in afterlife。 But men cannot for years
pervert the powers that God has given them； and then； when they choose to
change； find these powers fresh and free for an entirely opposite course。
Saul's efforts to arouse the people proved unavailing。 Finding his force
reduced to six hundred men； he left Gilgal and retired to the fortress at
Geba； lately taken from the Philistines。 This stronghold was on the south
side of a deep； rugged valley； or gorge； a few miles north of the site of
Jerusalem。 On the north side of the same valley； at Michmash； the Philistine
force lay encamped while detachments of troops went out in different
directions to ravage the country。
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God had permitted matters to be thus brought to a crisis that He might
rebuke the perversity of Saul and teach His people a lesson of humility and
faith。 Because of Saul's sin in his presumptuous offering； the Lord would
not give him the honor of vanquishing the Philistines。 Jonathan； the king's
son； a man who feared the Lord； was chosen as the instrument to deliver
Israel。 Moved by a divine impulse； he proposed to his armor…bearer that they
should make a secret attack upon the enemy's camp。 〃It may be；〃 he urged；
〃that the Lord will work for us： for there is no restraint to the Lord to
save by many or by few。〃
The armor…bearer； who also was a man of faith and prayer； encouragement the
design； and together they withdrew from the camp； secretly； lest their
purpose should be opposed。 With earnest prayer to the Guide of their
fathers； they agreed upon a sign by which they might determine how to
proceed。 Then passing down into the gorge separating the two armies； they
silently threaded their way； under the shadow of the cliff； and partially
concealed by the mounds and ridges of the valley。 Approaching the Philistine
fortress； they were revealed to the view of their enemies； who said；
tauntingly； 〃Behold； the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had
hid themselves；〃 then challenged them； 〃Come up to us； and we will show you
a thing；〃 meaning that they would punish the two Israelites for their
daring。 This challenge was the token that Jonathan and his companion had
agreed to accept as evidence that the Lord would prosper their undertaking。
Passing now from the sight of the Philistines； and choosing a secret and
difficult path； the warriors made their way to the summit of a cliff that
had been deemed inaccessible； and was not very strongly guarded。 Thus they
penetrated the enemy's camp and slew the sentinels； who； overcome with
surprise and fear； offered no resistance。
Angels of heaven shielded Jonathan and his attendant； angels fought by their
side； and the Philistines fell before them。 The earth trembled as though a
great multitude with horsemen and chariots were approaching。 Jonathan
recognized the tokens of divine aid； and even the Philistines knew that God
was working for the deliverance of Israel。 Great fear seized upon the host；
both in the field and in the garrison。 In the confusion； mistaking their own
soldiers for enemies； the Philistines began to slay one another。
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Soon the noise of the battle was heard in the camp of Israel。 The king's
sentinels reported that there was great confusion among the Philistines； and
that their numbers were decreasing。 Yet it was not known that any part of
the Hebrew army had left the camp。 Upon inquiry it was found that none were
absent except Jonathan and his armor…bearer。 But seeing that the Philistines
were meeting with a repulse； Saul led his army to join the assault。 The
Hebrews who had deserted to the enemy now turned against them； great numbers
also came out of their hiding places； and as the Philistines fled；
discomfited； Saul's army committed terrible havoc upon the fugitives。
Determined to make the most of his advantage； the king rashly forbade his
soldiers to partake of food for the entire day； enforcing his command by the
solemn imprecation； 〃Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening；
that I may be avenged on mine enemies。〃 The victory had already been gained；
without Saul's knowledge or co…operation； but he hoped to distinguish
himself by the utter destruction of the vanquished army。 The command to
refrain from food was prompted by selfish ambition； and it showed the king
to be indifferent to the needs of his people when these conflicted with his
desire for self…exaltation。 To confirm his prohibition by a solemn oath
showed Saul to be both rash and profane。 The very words of the curse give
evidence that Saul's zeal was for himself； and not for the honor of Go