"It's Not Just How You Act, But Why"

Scripture Passage

1 Chronicles 9:35-39; 1 Samuel 13:1-5; 1 Samuel 13:19-23;

1 Samuel 13:6-18; 1 Samuel 14:1-52

Scripture Focus

“Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”
“Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” (1 Samuel 14:6-7 NLT)

Observation

It’s one of my favorite passages (have I written that before?)—Jonathan clambering up the side of a ravine, leading his armor bearer against the Philistine stronghold at the top of the hill! What an expression of faith and an example of leadership on the part of Jonathan—and faith and willing followership on the part of his armor bearer.

Today, though, I’m thinking especially of this event in contrast to the impetuous, impatient actions of Saul, Jonathan’s father. You know…Saul—who failed to wait on Samuel’s arrival to offer the sacrifice; Saul—who swore an oath that his men were not to eat until he’d exacted his revenge against the Philistines; Saul—who was ready to execute his son, Jonathan, for violating a prohibition that Jonathan hadn’t even known existed.

I reflect, however, that it wasn’t just the impetuous nature of Saul’s actions that left him wanting. One could argue that Jonathan’s actions were a bit impetuous, too! It seems, rather, that Jonathan was impetuous for the right causes…in the right ways…chasing that which mattered most, while Saul was impetuous about the trivial—and impatient with regard to the significant. Saul impetuously made a rash vow about no one eating until he had exacted his revenge (and impetuously declared that Jonathan should die for violating that vow). He impatiently offered the sacrifice in Samuel’s absence (and later couldn’t wait around to hear from God even after calling for the priest)!

There’s a bigger problem than just impetuosity here—there’s a problem with the values and priorities that drove Saul’s impetuous, impatient actions. While Saul’s actions reflect self-centeredness and self-reliance, Jonathan’s actions reflect a heart for victory over the Philistines—and faith that God would provide that victory. Saul valued his own reputation and relied on his own resources. Jonathan valued God’s reputation and relied on God’s strength. And—impetuous action or not—Jonathan’s was an attitude God was able to honor with victory.