Saul's Sovereignty and Wars, His Army and Family
B. Dale 1 Samuel 14:47-52 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon… From this summary observe that - I. THE PEOPLE OF GOD ARE BESET BY NUMEROUS ADVERSARIES. Moab, Ammon, etc. - "on every side," of varied character, imbued with the same enmity, and threatening their existence. Conflict is necessary to self-preservation. II. THE CHASTISEMENT OF THE WICKED IS INFLICTED BY SUITABLE AGENTS, "And Saul took the kingdom," etc. "Whithersoever he turned himself he chastised them. For this work he was well qualified by warlike courage and skill, indomitable energy and zeal, and in it he met with success. God often employs men to carry out his purposes who possess little of the spirit of obedience. III. DIVERSITY OF CHARACTER IS OFTEN MANIFESTED IN THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. "Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui (Abinadab), and Melchishua." The fourth, Esh-baal (Ishbosheth), is not here mentioned. "And the names of his two daughters were Merab and Michal," etc. (vers. 49-51). What a contrast of character is presented in this family - e.g. between Jonathan and his father and sister (Michal). Hidden hereditary influences and special associations may have contributed to the difference, but much more the voluntary use or abuse of preliminary conditions, outward circumstances, and spiritual gifts. IV. THE MISUSE OF POWER IS the RUIN OF ITS POSSESSOR. "He gathered a host" (ver. 48), or acquired power. He formed a standing army, as it had been predicted (1 Samuel 8:11, 16; 1 Samuel 22:7). He employed his power for his own aggrandisement. "If he could have done as he wished, there would have been an end to the supremacy of God in Israel. Rude despotism would have usurped its place" (Hengstenberg). Samuel's antagonistic working preserved the principle of the theocracy, and Saul's kingdom departed from him (Daniel 4:31). V. THE PERVERSITY OF MEN INVOLVES THEM IN SORE DISTRESS. "There was sore war," etc. (ver. 52). "Very different had been the state of things when Samuel ruled Israel (1 Samuel 7:13). And the people who looked for protection to an arm of flesh rather than to God, who was their King, were punished by that instrument - Saul - which they had chosen for themselves in order that they might be saved by it" (Wordsworth's 'Com.'). VI. THE KINGDOM OF GOD MUST PREVAIL OVER ALL OPPOSITION, whether from open adversaries or disloyal adherents. That which seems to hinder it is often made a means of its furtherance. The Divine purpose concerning it cannot be defeated. It endured, wrought, and was developed amidst all the vicissitudes of Israel's history until the advent of "the King Messiah," and it is still advancing toward its perfect and eternal consummation (1 Corinthians 15:24, 25). - D. Parallel Verses KJV: So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. WEB: Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and wherever he turned himself, he put [them] to the worse.