1 Samuel 14
Leaders Prep Section
Watch this video, read these notes, and send the pre-written email (below) to your group 2-3 days before you meet.
Notes
Leadership is what we find at the balance of aggression and faith. This is the first time we see a man get it right, but only because he was able to leave the heavy lifting to God.
Group Guide Starts Here
Context of scripture
Saul and the nation of Israel are in a fight. Saul’s son Jonathan is there. They are tired, pissed off, and aggressive.
Read 1 Samuel 14: 1-23
Notice that Jonathan, a young man at this time, launches out on his own to fight saying, “Let’s see if God will act on our behalf.” On one hand his actions started a huge battle. On the other hand, God was on Jonathan’s side as he and his armor bearer fought and killed 20 men inside a half-acre lot. In other words, what Jonathan did worked.
If a man believes he needs to do something, and even more so believes he’s acting on God’s behalf, should he just do it – and let God be responsible for the outcome?
It would be reasonable to believe that Saul is thrown off balance by having his son in such a high-risk situation…especially when Jonathan launched out to fight without sufficient backup.
Has your child ever been in a physical fight or imminent physical danger? When and how did it affect you?
Should a leader be responsible to keep it together when his family is in danger? Or should he be removed from his position, at least temporarily?
Read 1 Samuel 14: 24-35
Every society acknowledges the notion that military leaders and parents should be honored and respected. Saul is both Jonathan’s leader and father. On top of that, Jonathan is ignoring his father in front of the other men.
Where should a man draw the line between respecting his leaders and doing what he feels is right?
Read 1 Samuel 14: 36-46, 52
Saul has probably lost face in front of his men – at least a little – and is losing his handle on the situation. He is also doing exactly what God warned a human king would do, which is making up his own rules and demands. Jonathan, on the other hand, is getting credit for his bravery and faith. God’s perspective is not clear on whether or not Jonathan is wrong. Earlier in the chapter, God fought on behalf of Jonathan. Here, God identified Jonathan as the “guilty party” when Saul asked who was to blame.
What is the relationship between faith and aggression? Have you ever considered that the two could be linked?
We have every reason to believe that Saul, as a young man, was as good or better than Jonathan was. However, comparing Saul and Jonathan now, Saul is a man saddled with responsibility and consequences of a nation and all eyes are on him. Jonathan, on the other hand, is able to do what he wants without a nation to lead or a son to lose. This shows us two types of leadership situations…one where you’re responsible for all kinds of things and another where you’re only responsible to do what you believe is right.
In a fight, would you rather be the general on the hilltop or the private in the trench?