Is it possible to pray too rashly? (1 Sam 14.41)

“O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If this guilt is in me or in my son Jonathan, O LORD God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.”

Background

This prayer is a supplication, a request of God. It also includes the use of casting lots, just as the prayer we studied in 1 Samuel 10.22.¹ This prayer also serves as part of the theme of the whole story of Saul: it highlights his recklessness and inability to be a good leader. We can learn something about prayer from it.

Following Saul’s anointing as king, we read about some military victories led by Saul. He is capable as Israel’s commander, but there are already hints that he is flawed and makes rash or poor decisions. We also read about Saul’s son, Jonathan; a key character in the story of Saul and of the next king, David.

The context of the prayer involves Jonathan. Without telling his father, he takes his armor-bearer and heads for the Mishmash pass to fight some Philistines. Jonathan tells the armor-bearer that they will know how to attack if certain events happen—God will show them. Jonathan and his companion start a battle which begins to rage beyond the pass. Saul receives notice of the skirmish, investigates, and discovers that it must be Jonathan who is fighting. Saul leads his army out, more Philistines join in, and the battle goes on for some time.

During the battle, Saul ordered that the soldiers fast during the day. This is an example of Saul’s rashness. Perhaps he thought that by fasting, which is often connected with prayer or mourning, it might impress God, and he would give them a quick victory. But preventing soldiers from eating all day does not seem too wise. Jonathan, unaware of the order, found some honeycomb and ate. Someone who had heard the order told him, but Jonathan criticized the order, arguing that he was now more energetic. The author is telling us that Jonathan has a better grasp of command than his father.

When the victory came, some troops were so famished that they took some animals from the spoils of war and ate them without draining the blood. This was a violation of the law of Moses about food preparation. When Saul found out, he had the men come together and prepare the meat properly before cooking it.