1 Samuel 14 begins with Jonathan making a bold move. He and his armor bearer go to a Philistine garrison. He has faith that God will bless his efforts and follows the sign that God gives. He kills the Philistines at the garrison. This starts a row in the Philistine camp. When Saul sees it he knows someone has gone into their camp and finds out that it is his son.  Saul gathers his 600 men together and goes with them and the ark of God into battle. The Hebrews who have been with the Philistines and those who are in hiding see what Saul is doing and join the fight. God lets Israel win the battle that day.

But Saul blows it. Instead of letting the troops eat of the spoils of the battle he tells them not to eat anything that day. They get so hungry that after they fought the next battle they slaughter the livestock and eat the meat with the blood, breaking God’s commandment. Saul is told what the men are doing and in order to make it right he builds an altar to the Lord on which the priest sacrifices the animals.

Saul wants to go into battle again that night. The priest suggests that they ask God. Saul does and God does not answer. Saul sets out to see who sinned since he believes that is why God does not answer him. He says that whoever sinned will be killed even if it is his own son. He asks God who sinned. God vindicates the people and says by lot that either Saul or Jonathan sinned. When the lot is cast again it falls on Jonathan. Jonathan admits to eating honey when his father had forbidden it with the curse. He submits himself to be killed but the people recognize that he fought for the Lord that day and ransom him from death. Saul does not go into battle after this and the Philistines return to their place.

In 1 Samuel 15 Samuel tells Saul that God wants him to punish the Amalekites for what they did to the people of Israel after they came into the promised land. Samuel tells Saul to destroy everything: people and livestock.  Saul defeats the Amalekites but allows their king and the best of their livestock live. God tells Samuel that Saul didn’t keep his commands. Samuel becomes angry and confronts Saul. Saul feels vindicated by saving the best animals. He claims they are for the Lord. Samuel points out that God does not delight in burnt offerings more than obedience. Rebellion is iniquity and idolatry. Samuel tells Saul that he has lost his kingship because of his disobedience. Saul apologizes for his sin but blames the people for his disobedience. Samuel says that he will leave Saul and never return because of Saul’s rejection of God. Saul begs Samuel to allow him to worship the Lord one more time, but this time says that He is Samuel’s God. Samuel relents and then has Saul kill the king of the Amalekites. Samuel does not see Saul alive again but he grieves over Saul. In a poignant statement, this chapter ends with the Lord being sorry He had made Saul king over Israel.

Saul did not do what God commanded and he made excuses for why he sinned and God was sorry He had made him king. Do you ever wonder whether our sinfulness and our desire to cover up that sin make God sorry he chose us to do his work?

Mark 13 opens with Jesus predicting the fall of the temple. The disciples ask Jesus for the signs that will indicate when all of this will be accomplished. Jesus tells them of the persecution they will endure, the betrayal, sacrilege and battles that will ensue and he encourages them to have faith and continue to preach the good news.

He also tells them to keep awake and be ready because only God knows when this will all come to an end.

So many people try to read the signs to determine if this is the time of the end. Jesus tells us not to be concerned with the signs because they are always all about us. We are to keep faithful when others might lead us astray, tell others about Jesus even if it means putting our lives on the line and continuing the work as long as the end has not come so that we will be found ready when he comes.