Saul’s Predicament

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Predicament

Saul was now in quite a predicament (vv. 15-18). The battle is about to begin. We can see here the real danger of disarmament. Samuel deserted him. He had left Gilgal bound for Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul would not have the benefit of prophetic guidance. Then Saul numbered “the people” and found only six hundred still with him. With this little band Saul took up defensive positions near Geba of Benjamin. He was helpless to deal with the raiding parties dispatched to the north, to the south and to the west from the Philistine base camp at Michmash. Yet he was determined to defend his own tribal area of Benjamin.

Lack of proper weaponry increased Saul’s predicament (vv. 19-22). The Philistines had removed all the blacksmiths from Israel, thus thwarting the manufacture of swords and spears. The Israelites were forced to travel down to the Philistine plain to get their agricultural implements sharpened. In this way the enemy was able to keep an accurate count of what the Israelites had in the way of weapons. Since the Philistines had a monopoly on the smelting and working of iron, they charged exorbitant prices, two thirds of a shekel, just to sharpen or repair their tools. Such prices made weapons unaffordable to the average Israelite. All of this the author relates so that his readers may understand why it was that only Saul and Jonathan had proper spears and swords on the eve of battle. The rank and file were armed with clubs, slings and perhaps other weapons made of bronze.

The showdown with the Philistine invaders began when the enemy base camp moved south toward the pass of Michmash (v. 23). Only two men, Saul and Jonathan, had swords. Probably the other men in the army carried mattocks, axes, clubs, and single instruments. The courage of Saul in facing this force with only six hundred under armed soldiers is to be commended.

How could the Israelites ever hope to win over the Philistines with such tremendous odds? There was only one way this could happen and that was with God’s help. In fact, God wanted to give Israel victory without swords so they would realize their true source of strength.

Application

When I find myself in a position where it seems like everyone and everything is against me I need to remember that my extremities are often God’s opportunities. He wants to show Himself strong but, as long as I think I have everything under control, God does not have the opportunity to show me what He can do.

I Samuel 13:15-23 (English Standard Version)


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