Chapter T W O
Saul cupped his hands and dipped them into the flowing brook. Then bringing his hands up to his lips, the king took long, deep swallows of the cool water. After a couple more servings of water, Saul stood up and paused for the first time that day. The sky was cloudless and the breeze was cool. The light breeze ruffled the trees and created waves in the tall grass and fields across the large valley. It was the perfect weather to be outside. But strangely, Saul could not find pleasure in the beautiful scene before him. For the hundredth time, Saul rubbed his dark forehead with his hand. He wasn’t used to having to think this much. It was already long past midday and Saul had just realized that he was dehydrated. He had been so busy with the important matters of the day that he hadn’t paid attention to his need of a drink.
Today was the big day. After a long year of combat training and secret meetings, the main purpose of Saul’s anointment was finally about to be fulfilled. Today Samuel was supposed to arrive and offer the burnt and fellowship offerings. Then with the favor of the Lord on his side, Saul and his army would rid Israel of Philistine rule. Saul would be a hero and confirmed king of Israel. Sounds simple enough but there were some details that had come about that Saul had not expected. As according to plan, Saul had already been at the camp in Gilgal for seven days organizing and preparing his army. But for some reason, attendance was very poor. Only several hundred Israelites had arrived in comparison to the thousands of gathering Philistines on the other side of the valley.
As the days went on, the Philistine camp continued to grow and Saul had begun to feel very uncomfortable. There was such a difference between the size of the Philistine camp and the Israelite camp that they were not even comparable. Saul’s sleep had become restless while many unanswered questions tore at his well-being. Why had so few Israelites gathered? Did they not want to rid their land of the power of the Philistines? Was this not the reason they wanted a king? How was he to fight the Philistines with so few soldiers?
On top of that, he was already expecting a great disadvantage as far as weapons go. In fact, the Philistines had managed to monopolize the weapons industry while Israel was without a king. The only weapons the Israelite soldiers could afford were slings, plowshares, axes, and pitchforks. The clever Philistines had made sure that their enemies would never be able to afford swords and spears.
To make it even worse, Saul woke up this morning thinking that the camp looked different. Sure enough, after a head count, he found out that a few dozen tents and a hundred men were missing. Saul could only hope that the rest of the camp wouldn’t notice the missing cowards and get any ideas.
Saul was still looking across the valley when his armor bearer approached him. His voice was filled with desperation. “King Saul! Please return to camp quickly! The men have begun to argue with Abner and are talking of leaving!” Saul’s mind jumped back into the real world and he quickly noticed the loud voices coming deep inside the camp. The armor bearer continued, “Abner is trying to calm them down but it is useless.”
Saul exhaled heavily and began to march toward camp. As he and his armor bearer approached the camp, Saul tried to make out what the voices where yelling.
“What am I to do with just a plowshare? Am I to harvest them to death?”
Abner‘s voice came in, “Samuel is to arrive today and with the favor of the Lord on our side we will--”
“Those Philistines are going to get here before Samuel even puts fire on the offering!”
“Don’t forget we’re out numbered!”
“If our goal is to win I will have to kill a couple hundred by myself and most of us have never been in a battle!”
“Silence!” Saul now stood in the midst of them. “Men, this is no time to be yelling at each other.”
One soldier quickly spoke up, “Then show us one wise action you have made leading up to this day!”
Saul frowned but did not hesitate. “Have you forgotten already that I sent my son Jonathan to drive the Philistines out of Geba just over a week ago? He did and it was a great victory. Was that not a smart move?”
“You let all of Philistia know ahead of time that our plan is to drive them out! They wouldn‘t be gathering on the other side of the valley if you wouldn‘t have warned them!” a man replied.
“Now we’re out numbered a hundred to one! Or maybe more!” another added.
Saul answered, “Only because your fellow brothers have been unfaithful to my call!”
“No, they aren’t here because of you, King Saul. You have done nothing in the past year to retrieve the weapons that we have been lacking for years! And yet you still decide to stir the hornet nest!”
The soldiers had been complaining all week and Saul’s sleep depraved mind was tiered of it. “You all sound like infants.”
“That’s it!” one soldier threw up his hands. “I can’t stay here. The Philistines will be upon us before Samuel even gets here and all the Hebrew king can do is call me an infant!” They all nodded and grunted in agreement and started to walk away to grab their things.
“Wait!” Saul yelled at the top of his lungs. “You can’t leave! Samuel will come!”
Then Saul began to panic. Sweat began to bead up on his forehead. What could he say? What could he do? The small army that he had was now surrendering to their fears and abandoning their king! Little by little, groups of men started walking away from the camp. Saul thought frantically. He couldn’t let them leave! He had to do something! He was king! He could do anything!
Saul quickly glanced at the altar they had built earlier that day for this purpose. “I will sacrifice the offerings!” Saul screamed. “I will act in Samuel’s place as King Saul! God will accept my offering and we will go and fight the Philistines!”
Saul glanced around. Most of the men stopped in their tracks to see if Saul would follow through with his statement. Saul looked at his armor bearer and said, “Prepare the burnt and fellowship offerings.”
Abner put a hand on Saul’s shoulder and said, “Sir, I’m not sure you should do that.”
Then, straightening his tall form, Saul declared, “I am the king of the children of Yahweh! I CAN DO THIS!”
~~~
Two hours later, Saul had offered the cakes without yeast and the meat of the fellowship offering was eaten. Then Saul lit the burnt offering. Slowly the flames engulfed the sacrifice. It was done. They were ready to attack the Philistines with the Lord on their side. He had just finished it when Abner approached Saul. “Samuel has arrived.”
At that moment, a sharp dagger of guilt went deep into Saul’s spirit. But there was no reason to feel guilty! Saul had been give the position of king and Samuel would surely understand. Samuel should have come sooner if he wanted to make the silly offerings himself!
Saul rushed down the hill toward the ageing, grey-bearded prophet. When Saul got close he could see that something had clearly gone wrong by the look of Samuel’s face.
“Samuel! It’s so good to see you!” Saul said as he opened his arms to give Samuel an embrace.
But Samuel waved him off. “What have you done?”
Saul shrugged his shoulders. “What do you mean?”
Samuel angrily pointed up at the hill where a constant stream of black smoke was coming from the altar.
Saul glanced at the altar and then back at Samuel. “Oh, you mean that. Well…” Saul hesitated. “My men were scattering, and you weren’t coming, and the Philistines are assembling at Micmash, and I though that the Philistines would come down upon me, and I still didn’t have the Lord’s favor,” Saul paused to catch his breath and noticed that Samuel’s expression hadn’t changed. “So I felt compelled to do the offerings.”
Samuel closed his eyes and firmly shook his head. “You acted foolishly. You rejected the commandment the Lord your God gave you. If only you would have kept it, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
At that, Samuel turned and started back toward Gilgal. Saul was left speechless. He stood there and watched the old man walk away down the dusty road. Then he slowly returned to the altar and watched the breeze twist and dissipate the puffs of smoke.
Abner quietly came to Saul’s side. “What now sir? Should we attack?”
Saul slowly turned his head toward Abner. “How am I supposed to know?”
Abner hesitated. “You are king.”
Saul made a sarcastic chuckle, “Apparently I’m not even supposed to act as king of Israel! That old prophet frustrates me so much! Tell me how I am supposed to know if I have the Lord’s favor?” Saul frowned firmly. “I guess we can’t attack now, can we? I guess all we can do is hope that the Philistines will take it easy on us.”
Today was the big day. After a long year of combat training and secret meetings, the main purpose of Saul’s anointment was finally about to be fulfilled. Today Samuel was supposed to arrive and offer the burnt and fellowship offerings. Then with the favor of the Lord on his side, Saul and his army would rid Israel of Philistine rule. Saul would be a hero and confirmed king of Israel. Sounds simple enough but there were some details that had come about that Saul had not expected. As according to plan, Saul had already been at the camp in Gilgal for seven days organizing and preparing his army. But for some reason, attendance was very poor. Only several hundred Israelites had arrived in comparison to the thousands of gathering Philistines on the other side of the valley.
As the days went on, the Philistine camp continued to grow and Saul had begun to feel very uncomfortable. There was such a difference between the size of the Philistine camp and the Israelite camp that they were not even comparable. Saul’s sleep had become restless while many unanswered questions tore at his well-being. Why had so few Israelites gathered? Did they not want to rid their land of the power of the Philistines? Was this not the reason they wanted a king? How was he to fight the Philistines with so few soldiers?
On top of that, he was already expecting a great disadvantage as far as weapons go. In fact, the Philistines had managed to monopolize the weapons industry while Israel was without a king. The only weapons the Israelite soldiers could afford were slings, plowshares, axes, and pitchforks. The clever Philistines had made sure that their enemies would never be able to afford swords and spears.
To make it even worse, Saul woke up this morning thinking that the camp looked different. Sure enough, after a head count, he found out that a few dozen tents and a hundred men were missing. Saul could only hope that the rest of the camp wouldn’t notice the missing cowards and get any ideas.
Saul was still looking across the valley when his armor bearer approached him. His voice was filled with desperation. “King Saul! Please return to camp quickly! The men have begun to argue with Abner and are talking of leaving!” Saul’s mind jumped back into the real world and he quickly noticed the loud voices coming deep inside the camp. The armor bearer continued, “Abner is trying to calm them down but it is useless.”
Saul exhaled heavily and began to march toward camp. As he and his armor bearer approached the camp, Saul tried to make out what the voices where yelling.
“What am I to do with just a plowshare? Am I to harvest them to death?”
Abner‘s voice came in, “Samuel is to arrive today and with the favor of the Lord on our side we will--”
“Those Philistines are going to get here before Samuel even puts fire on the offering!”
“Don’t forget we’re out numbered!”
“If our goal is to win I will have to kill a couple hundred by myself and most of us have never been in a battle!”
“Silence!” Saul now stood in the midst of them. “Men, this is no time to be yelling at each other.”
One soldier quickly spoke up, “Then show us one wise action you have made leading up to this day!”
Saul frowned but did not hesitate. “Have you forgotten already that I sent my son Jonathan to drive the Philistines out of Geba just over a week ago? He did and it was a great victory. Was that not a smart move?”
“You let all of Philistia know ahead of time that our plan is to drive them out! They wouldn‘t be gathering on the other side of the valley if you wouldn‘t have warned them!” a man replied.
“Now we’re out numbered a hundred to one! Or maybe more!” another added.
Saul answered, “Only because your fellow brothers have been unfaithful to my call!”
“No, they aren’t here because of you, King Saul. You have done nothing in the past year to retrieve the weapons that we have been lacking for years! And yet you still decide to stir the hornet nest!”
The soldiers had been complaining all week and Saul’s sleep depraved mind was tiered of it. “You all sound like infants.”
“That’s it!” one soldier threw up his hands. “I can’t stay here. The Philistines will be upon us before Samuel even gets here and all the Hebrew king can do is call me an infant!” They all nodded and grunted in agreement and started to walk away to grab their things.
“Wait!” Saul yelled at the top of his lungs. “You can’t leave! Samuel will come!”
Then Saul began to panic. Sweat began to bead up on his forehead. What could he say? What could he do? The small army that he had was now surrendering to their fears and abandoning their king! Little by little, groups of men started walking away from the camp. Saul thought frantically. He couldn’t let them leave! He had to do something! He was king! He could do anything!
Saul quickly glanced at the altar they had built earlier that day for this purpose. “I will sacrifice the offerings!” Saul screamed. “I will act in Samuel’s place as King Saul! God will accept my offering and we will go and fight the Philistines!”
Saul glanced around. Most of the men stopped in their tracks to see if Saul would follow through with his statement. Saul looked at his armor bearer and said, “Prepare the burnt and fellowship offerings.”
Abner put a hand on Saul’s shoulder and said, “Sir, I’m not sure you should do that.”
Then, straightening his tall form, Saul declared, “I am the king of the children of Yahweh! I CAN DO THIS!”
~~~
Two hours later, Saul had offered the cakes without yeast and the meat of the fellowship offering was eaten. Then Saul lit the burnt offering. Slowly the flames engulfed the sacrifice. It was done. They were ready to attack the Philistines with the Lord on their side. He had just finished it when Abner approached Saul. “Samuel has arrived.”
At that moment, a sharp dagger of guilt went deep into Saul’s spirit. But there was no reason to feel guilty! Saul had been give the position of king and Samuel would surely understand. Samuel should have come sooner if he wanted to make the silly offerings himself!
Saul rushed down the hill toward the ageing, grey-bearded prophet. When Saul got close he could see that something had clearly gone wrong by the look of Samuel’s face.
“Samuel! It’s so good to see you!” Saul said as he opened his arms to give Samuel an embrace.
But Samuel waved him off. “What have you done?”
Saul shrugged his shoulders. “What do you mean?”
Samuel angrily pointed up at the hill where a constant stream of black smoke was coming from the altar.
Saul glanced at the altar and then back at Samuel. “Oh, you mean that. Well…” Saul hesitated. “My men were scattering, and you weren’t coming, and the Philistines are assembling at Micmash, and I though that the Philistines would come down upon me, and I still didn’t have the Lord’s favor,” Saul paused to catch his breath and noticed that Samuel’s expression hadn’t changed. “So I felt compelled to do the offerings.”
Samuel closed his eyes and firmly shook his head. “You acted foolishly. You rejected the commandment the Lord your God gave you. If only you would have kept it, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
At that, Samuel turned and started back toward Gilgal. Saul was left speechless. He stood there and watched the old man walk away down the dusty road. Then he slowly returned to the altar and watched the breeze twist and dissipate the puffs of smoke.
Abner quietly came to Saul’s side. “What now sir? Should we attack?”
Saul slowly turned his head toward Abner. “How am I supposed to know?”
Abner hesitated. “You are king.”
Saul made a sarcastic chuckle, “Apparently I’m not even supposed to act as king of Israel! That old prophet frustrates me so much! Tell me how I am supposed to know if I have the Lord’s favor?” Saul frowned firmly. “I guess we can’t attack now, can we? I guess all we can do is hope that the Philistines will take it easy on us.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
Chapter 3 will arrive November 13!
posted by Nata at 12:00 a.m.
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