Saul's Fourth Stage Of Battle- Retreat Series

Series: Israel’s 1st King [#9]

SAUL’S FOURTH STAGE OF BATTLE- RETREAT

1 Samuel 14:46-52

Introduction:

King Saul’s 1st defeat came because he ran ahead of the Lord. His 2nd defeat came because he hesitated and failed to act promptly when God was ready to give him a great victory. As you read chapter 14, you find that Jonathan is the real hero, not Saul; and yet at the end, Saul would have had his own son killed. When a Christian isn’t following the Lord, he treats his friends like enemies. That’s what Saul did. God gave a great victory that day; but King Saul wasn’t really a part of the victory. Why? Because he was out of fellowship with God. Let’s consider 4 stages in this battle and see how King Saul responded in each stage. We will see what happens when a person’s fellowship with God is broken. This morning, we are going to look at the 4th stage of Saul’s battle. Saul retreated from the battle.

1 Samuel 14:46

In 1 Samuel 14:46 we find him retreating from the battle. Instead of having an army rush ahead and win the victory, Saul led them in retreat.

Retreat is a result of being…

1. Physically weak.

If the army had eaten properly and followed Jonathan’s leadership, they could have won even a greater victory against the Philistines. Instead, there was delay and hesitations which led to a retreat.

The enemy takes advantage of us when we are physically weak. When you are physically weak from sickness, lack of nourishment, or lack of exercise; the enemy will attack hard. This is when you are most vulnerable. We need to take care of ourselves physically.

Retreat is a result of being…

2. Mentally weak.

Saul had to have lost all of his confidence as the King of Israel when the army chose Jonathan over him. I am sure that he played that scene out in his head over and over again after that day.

No one likes to be proven wrong; but it gets worse when others walk away from you because of your incompetence. Not long after that happens, you begin to question everything you say and do. When the enemy can get you to question yourself about everything you do, he can convince you of all kinds of lies.

Retreat is a result of being…

3. Spiritually weak.

Saul did everything he could to look spiritually strong; but the reality of it was, he was very weak. He had already lost the kingship because he had offered up a burnt offering instead of waiting on Samuel. Then, while Jonathan and his armor bearer were winning a battle for the entire army and the Philistines were running away; he called for the Ark of the Covenant. Did he wait for an answer from God? No, he told the Priest to remove his hand and they went to battle. To top all of that, he made this foolish oath which almost cost the life of his son Jonathan; and his army lost all trust in him- Including his spiritual condition.

1 Samuel 14:47-52

We see here that Saul still had some victories after this; but he never stopped fighting against the Philistines. Things could have been very different if the army would have been at full strength. The Philistines might have been defeated for good; but that’s not what happened.

Conclusion:

What a contrast between Jonathan and Saul. Jonathan was a man of action, but Saul was a man of empty words and broken promises. Jonathan showed great faith, while Saul tried to appear religious with his vows and his oaths. Jonathan was bold and courageous, while Saul hesitated and waited. Jonathan was wise, but Saul said and did foolish things. Jonathan brought out the best in the army, while Saul brought out the worst.

Are you experiencing defeat or victory in your life?

1 John 5:4

Let’s not be like Saul but like Jonathan. Let’s trust God to work for us and enter the battle claiming His victory.