Day 1088: Who's side are we on? - 1 Samuel 14 vs 17 – 23

16-17 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude (of Philistines) was dispersing here and there. Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armour bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” (For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel.)

19-20 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.

21-23 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven. 1 Samuel 14:17-23 English Standard Version

In the first part of this chapter we were told how King Saul's son, Jonathan, had taken his armour bearer with him and launched a surprise attack on a Philistine garrison. Jonathan said to the man: “It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” That attack caused a great panic in the Philistine camp. This is what Israel's watchmen were now reporting to Saul. (vs 16-17) Saul realized that someone had brought about the panic, so he made enquiries as to who was missing from the Israelite camp. It then led to his request for the ark of God to be brought near. Perhaps he realized that a battle was imminent and he wanted God on his side!

In one sense, Saul's request could be seen as a good one. It is a good thing to want God at our side when a conflict looms. But it's also true that people can be superstitious and believe that just having the symbols of God will guarantee safety and success. But, as we'll see in the next chapter, the wise prophet Samuel would say to Saul: “Which does the Lord prefer: obedience - or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey Him than to sacrifice the best sheep to Him.” (1Samuel 15:22 Good News Bible) Religious symbols and rituals are meaningless if there is no obedience of heart to what God requires of us.

As the panic in the Philistine camp increased, Saul realized this was an opportunity to launch an attack, even though his army consisted of only about 600 men. This attack brought even greater confusion and panic amongst the Philistines (vs 19-20) so that they even began to attack one another! And, as vs 21-23 explain, there were some Jewish people who'd sided with the Philistines. It may well have been that not everyone was dressed in identical uniforms as soldiers do today. But what are the two sad, yet perhaps understandable, truths which came to light that day? (Vs 21-23)

Firstly, there were some Hebrews who had joined up with the Philistines. They had cast their lot in with those who they thought would secure their future. So too today, many are tempted to put their hopes of safety and enjoyment in the treasures of the world. Jesus, however, taught His followers to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) When those Hebrews saw Israel was winning, they changed sides. The danger for men and women now is that they may leave it too late to choose God's Kingdom rather than the world.

The other sad truth was that many Hebrews had hidden away, rather than respond to Saul's earlier call to resist the Philistines. But when they saw the Philistines fleeing, they came out of hiding and joined the battle. I wonder how I would have responded? Join the enemy? Hide away? Or, would I have been among the 600 who were with Saul? An old hymn comes to mind: ”Who is on the Lord's side - who will serve the King?” May we not only want God on our side, but may we want to be on His side in taking the gospel of Jesus into an often hostile world.