Study 20: 1 Samuel 14: 34-48: Trent Evans

This sermon on 1 Samuel 14 explores the contrast between Saul’s prideful leadership and Jonathan’s God-centered courage. Saul’s rash vow left Israel’s army weakened, confused God’s provision for temptation, and led to sin in desperation. Jonathan, however, discerned rightly, honored God, and was vindicated by the people when Saul’s arrogance nearly cost him his life. The passage shows how pride blinds leaders, while humility and discernment open the way for God’s direction. The silence of God toward Saul reveals the need for self-examination, repentance, and alignment with His standards. True transformation, unlike temporary behavior modification, flows from a heart changed by God’s Spirit. The message calls believers to embrace correction, submit to God’s Word, and seek heart transformation through Christ rather than self-driven agendas.

Sermon Outline

1. Setting the Context (00:50–03:16)

• Israel’s battle against the Philistines led by Jonathan, not Saul (1 Sam. 14:1–23).

• Saul imposes a rash oath of fasting, creating distress for his army.

• Prayer for open hearts and God’s Word to speak.

2. Saul’s Oath and Distress of Israel (04:30–07:53)

• Saul’s fast was motivated by pride, not God (1 Sam. 14:24).

• Hebrew word nagas = “turbulence” (v. 24).

• Jonathan eats honey (provision from God) while others see it as temptation.

• Key Point: Pride and personal agendas blind us from seeing God’s provision.

3. Jonathan’s Discernment vs. Saul’s Poor Leadership (07:53–09:35)

• Jonathan condemns his father’s poor judgment (v. 29).

• Army becomes weak, sins by eating meat with blood (Lev. 17:10–14).

• Saul fails to acknowledge his role in their sin.

• Key Point: Leaders are accountable for leading people into compromised states.

4. Saul Builds an Altar (First and Last Time) (10:16–12:44)

• Saul builds an altar for the first—and last—time (1 Sam. 14:35).

• Shows his inconsistency in true worship.

• Key Point: Religion without obedience and humility leads to hypocrisy.

5. The Counsel to Inquire of God (13:26–17:01)

• Saul wants to hastily pursue Philistines at night.

• Ahijah the priest urges seeking God first.

• God is silent (1 Sam. 14:37).

• Lesson: Silence from God often means “stay where I last spoke to you”.

6. Saul Blames Others Instead of Self-Examination (19:14–21:56)

• Saul assumes Israel’s sin is the reason for God’s silence.

• Contrast with Psalm 139:23–24 – David prays, “Search me, O God.”

• Husbands warned from 1 Peter 3:7 that poor treatment of wives can hinder prayer.

• Key Point: Examine yourself first before blaming others.

7. Jonathan Accused and Saul’s Pride Crescendos (24:18–31:23)

• Lots cast; Jonathan “taken” (1 Sam. 14:42–43).

• Jonathan admits to tasting honey.

• Saul pronounces death sentence: “May God deal with me severely” (v. 44).

• Pride leads Saul to value his reputation over his son’s life.

8. The Army Rescues Jonathan (32:17–33:43)

• Soldiers intervene, refusing to let Saul kill Jonathan.

• They declare Jonathan, not Saul, as God’s instrument of deliverance (v. 45).

• Key Point: God humbles leaders by exposing their pride and elevating the faithful.

9. God’s Direction Restored After Correction (35:12–36:57)

• Once Saul’s sin is exposed, God’s direction becomes clear.

• Army stops pursuing Philistines (1 Sam. 14:46).

• Lesson: Obedience and humility restore hearing from God.

10. Application: Transformation over Behavior Modification (41:44–49:27)

• Correction, though painful, leads to growth (Prov. 15:32).

• Saul modifies behavior but never truly changes his heart (1 Sam. 14:47–48).

• Communion: reminder that transformation comes through Christ’s sacrifice, not willpower.

• Call to seek heart change, not external conformity (Rom. 12:2).

Scripture References

1. 1 Samuel 14:1–23 (01:59–02:25)

• Context: Jonathan and his armor-bearer defeat the Philistines.

• Use in Sermon: Sets the backdrop—victory came through Jonathan, not Saul.

2. 1 Samuel 14:24 (04:30–05:28)

• Context: Saul declares a rash oath of fasting.

• Use in Sermon: Hebrew word nagas = “distress/turbulence”; used to illustrate how prideful decisions create turmoil.

3. 1 Samuel 14:25–30 (05:28–07:53)

• Context: Honey in the woods—Jonathan eats, his eyes brighten.

• Use in Sermon: Jonathan discerns honey as God’s provision; others mistake it for temptation due to Saul’s vow.

4. Leviticus 17:10–14 (alluded) (08:43–09:35)

• Context: Israel eats meat with blood still in it.

• Use in Sermon: Shows disobedience to God’s law caused by Saul’s rash oath and the people’s hunger.

5. 1 Samuel 14:35 (10:24–12:44)

• Context: Saul builds an altar for the first time.

• Use in Sermon: Highlighted as inconsistent spirituality—first and last altar he built, revealing his lack of true devotion.

6. 1 Samuel 14:36–37 (13:26–17:01)

• Context: Saul wants to pursue Philistines by night, but Ahijah urges seeking God first.

• Use in Sermon: God’s silence is emphasized as discipline; lesson to stay where God last spoke when He is silent.

7. Psalm 139:23–24 (21:33–21:56)

• Context: “Search me, O God, and know my heart…”

• Use in Sermon: Contrasted with Saul’s blame-shifting; a model of self-examination when God seems silent.

8. 1 Peter 3:7 (22:40–23:08)

• Context: Husbands must treat wives with honor so prayers are not hindered.

• Use in Sermon: Applied as a warning that broken relationships (especially in the home) can shut down prayer.

9. 1 Samuel 14:42–45 (27:45–33:43)

• Context: Lots fall on Jonathan; Saul declares he must die, but the army rescues him.

• Use in Sermon: Jonathan’s honesty and the army’s defense highlight Saul’s pride and God’s discipline.

10. 1 Samuel 14:46 (35:12–36:15)

• Context: Saul stops pursuing Philistines.

• Use in Sermon: Once Saul’s sin is exposed, God’s direction becomes clear—God’s silence was a “no”.

11. Proverbs 15:32 (40:26–41:44)

• Context: “Those who disregard discipline despise themselves…”

• Use in Sermon: Reinforces that correction is for our good; discipline brings understanding and growth.

12. 1 Samuel 14:47–48 (41:44–43:56)

• Context: Saul fights valiantly after the episode.

• Use in Sermon: Shows temporary behavior modification without lasting heart change; his pride resurfaces later.

13. Romans 12:2 (alluded) (46:48–48:23)

• Context: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

• Use in Sermon: Applied in contrast to Saul’s behavior—true change comes from heart transformation, not willpower.

Word Study

1. Distress / Turbulence (1 Sam. 14:24)

• Language/Origin: Hebrew

• Word: נָגַשׂ (nāgaś)

• Strong’s Number: H5065

• Pronunciation: naw-GAS

Definitions:

• Simple: To press, oppress, drive hard, distress.

• Extended: Used of taskmasters pressing laborers (Exod. 3:7), armies pressing an enemy, or emotional/spiritual distress. Conveys the idea of being under heavy pressure or turbulence.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonym: צָרָה (tsarah, H6869) = trouble, anguish.

• Antonym: שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965) = peace, wholeness.

Other Passages:

• Exod. 3:7 – “I have seen the affliction of My people… for I know their sorrows.”

• Prov. 14:31 – He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker.

Reflection:

Saul’s rash oath created nagas—turbulence—in Israel. This reveals how self-driven leadership breeds chaos, while godly leadership brings shalom. The sermon stressed that pride and personal agendas generate unrest.

2. Provision (Honey – 1 Sam. 14:25–27)

• Language/Origin: Hebrew

• Word: דְּבַשׁ (debash)

• Strong’s Number: H1706

• Pronunciation: de-BAHSH

Definitions:

• Simple: Honey, sweetness.

• Extended: Often symbolizes abundance and divine provision. In Canaan, “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exod. 3:8). Sometimes literal, sometimes figurative of God’s blessings.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonym: מָן (man, H4478) = manna, God’s provision.

• Antonym: רָעָב (raʿav, H7458) = famine, hunger.

Other Passages:

• Judg. 14:8–9 – Samson finds honey in the lion’s carcass.

• Prov. 24:13 – “Eat honey, for it is good… so is wisdom to your soul.”

Reflection:

Jonathan recognized honey as God’s debash, provision to sustain the army. Saul’s oath blinded the people so they misread God’s gift as temptation. The word underscores discernment between God’s provision and misplaced fear.

3. Temptation (contrast in sermon – provision vs temptation)

• Language/Origin: Greek (New Testament concept highlighted in sermon reflection)

• Word: πειρασμός (peirasmos)

• Strong’s Number: G3986

• Pronunciation: pi-ras-MOS

Definitions:

• Simple: Trial, test, or temptation.

• Extended: Can mean external tests (James 1:2) or enticement to sin (Matt. 26:41). The context determines whether it is an opportunity to grow or a lure to fall.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonym: δοκιμή (dokimē, G1382) = testing, proving.

• Antonym: ἔλεος (eleos, G1656) = mercy, help in time of trial.

Other Passages:

• Matt. 4:1 – Jesus tempted in the wilderness.

• 1 Cor. 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man…”

Reflection:

The sermon showed how misplaced vows blur discernment between God’s provision and enemy’s peirasmos. Walking in obedience clarifies which is which.

4. Altar (1 Sam. 14:35)

• Language/Origin: Hebrew

• Word: מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbēaḥ)

• Strong’s Number: H4196

• Pronunciation: miz-BAY-ahkh

Definitions:

• Simple: Place of sacrifice, altar.

• Extended: A raised structure for offerings to God. Represents worship, atonement, or covenant renewal.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonym: זֶבַח (zevaḥ, H2077) = sacrifice.

• Antonym: בָּמָה (bāmāh, H1116) = high place, often idolatrous altar.

Other Passages:

• Gen. 8:20 – Noah builds an altar after the flood.

• 1 Kings 18:30–32 – Elijah repairs the Lord’s altar on Mount Carmel.

Reflection:

Saul’s altar was his first and last, showing inconsistency. True mizbēaḥ moments require humility. This highlights the theme: outward religion without inward obedience is empty.

5. Silence (God did not answer Saul – 1 Sam. 14:37)

• Language/Origin: Hebrew concept of “not answering”

• Word: עָנָה (ʿanah)

• Strong’s Number: H6030

• Pronunciation: ah-NAH

Definitions:

• Simple: To answer, respond.

• Extended: Used for verbal response or divine reply. Its negation signals divine silence, often as judgment (e.g., Ezek. 20:3).

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonym: שָׁמַע (shamaʿ, H8085) = to hear, listen.

• Antonym: דָּמַם (damam, H1826) = to be still, silent.

Other Passages:

• Ps. 66:18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

• Amos 8:11 – Famine of hearing God’s word.

Reflection:

Saul blamed others instead of self-examining. God’s silence (ʿanah withheld) was discipline, teaching that obedience and humility restore communication with Him.

Questions for Deeper Study

Reflection Questions

1. When have I mistaken God’s provision for temptation, or missed His blessings because I was following my own agenda rather than His Word?

   • Read 1 Samuel 14:24–30; James 1:17; 1 Corinthians 10:13.

2. What do I typically do when God seems silent in my life—do I blame others like Saul, or do I invite the Lord to search my heart as David did (Psalm 139:23–24)?

   • Read 1 Samuel 14:37; Psalm 139:23–24; Psalm 66:18.

3. Am I seeking mere behavior modification (temporary change) or true transformation that flows from God’s Spirit? What practices in my life reveal whether my change is external or from the heart?

   • Read Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Proverbs 15:32.