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- Oct 26, 2007
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And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed [is] the man who eats [any] food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. 1 Samuel 14:24 NKJV
Just imagine the trouble we’d avoid if we all took the advice of today’s devotional title. Individually, culturally, worldwide—how helpful to recognize the truth of Proverbs 13:3: “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
King Saul spoke rashly when he pronounced a curse on any soldier who ate before nightfall. Israel’s troops could have enjoyed the refreshment of plentiful honey they found in the woods, “yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath” (1 Samuel 14:26). Jonathan, the king’s son who’d been out successfully fighting Philistines when Saul issued his foolish order, did eat some honey, and his “eyes brightened” (29). He recognized that the soldiers would have been more effective with food in their stomachs.
Saul’s order resulted in a death penalty on Jonathan, and the mass disobedience of the rest of the army to save the young man’s life. How unnecessary it all was.
Today, let’s commit ourselves to James' wisdom: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (1:19).
Prayer: Lord, may my thoughts be many and my words few.
Just imagine the trouble we’d avoid if we all took the advice of today’s devotional title. Individually, culturally, worldwide—how helpful to recognize the truth of Proverbs 13:3: “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
King Saul spoke rashly when he pronounced a curse on any soldier who ate before nightfall. Israel’s troops could have enjoyed the refreshment of plentiful honey they found in the woods, “yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath” (1 Samuel 14:26). Jonathan, the king’s son who’d been out successfully fighting Philistines when Saul issued his foolish order, did eat some honey, and his “eyes brightened” (29). He recognized that the soldiers would have been more effective with food in their stomachs.
Saul’s order resulted in a death penalty on Jonathan, and the mass disobedience of the rest of the army to save the young man’s life. How unnecessary it all was.
Today, let’s commit ourselves to James' wisdom: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (1:19).
Prayer: Lord, may my thoughts be many and my words few.
