Honey in the Forest

A Devotional on 1 Samuel 14

In 1 Samuel 14, we read an interesting story regarding King Saul, Jonathan, and the Israelites battle against the Philistines. In it, we discover two different approaches to spiritual battle and leadership—one rooted in reckless trust, the other in reactive control. On the surface, this chapter seems like an odd story of military strategy and battle, but beneath it lies complex spiritual dilemmas with present day application. It is a story of initiative, discernment, and how easily we can forfeit blessing when we act without God’s guidance.

Two Leaders, Two Paths

The Israelites are up against the Philistine army. While King Saul remains in the outskirts of Gibeah with his troops waiting to launch an attack, his son Jonathan quietly steps away with his armor bearer to confront a Philistine outpost—without telling anyone.

Jonathan doesn’t storm in presumptuously; instead, he and his armor bearer make themselves available to the Lord for use approaching the outpost to see if there is availability for attack. Jonathan discerns two possible outcomes for this decision and entrusts them to the Lord (vv. 9–11). If the Philistines say “Come up to us,” he takes that as God’s sign to engage. When the Philistines do exactly that, Jonathan boldly declares, “The Lord has given them into the hand of Israel” (v. 12). And in that moment of faithful obedience, the Lord moves. Jonathan and his armor bearer strike down about twenty men, and panic erupts in the Philistine camp—so intense that even the ground shakes.

Meanwhile, Saul and his men notice the uproar. But rather than ask the Lord what to do, Saul scrambles to gain control. He calls for the ark, but as the Philistines becomes more and more frenzied, retracts his request and tells the priest, “Withdraw your hand” (v. 19)—abandoning the Lord’s guidance in lieu of circumstance. Despite this, the Lord continues to act. Israelite defectors who had previously joined the Philistines now return to fight for Israel, and the Lord delivers a great victory.

But as the chapter continues, the contrast between Jonathan’s discernment and Saul’s rashness only becomes more distinct.

Cursed Before the Feast

At sunset, after a full day of pursuit and battle, verse 24 tells us that “the men of Israel were hard-pressed.” The Hebrew word used here, nâgaś, means “to drive, to oppress, or to exert pressure.” They weren’t just tired; they were under duress. And it was Saul who added to their burden.

Driven by a need for personal vengeance instead of the Lord's guidance, Saul declares, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” The people are now starving, having already battled a full day; however, they aren’t left hungry by necessity, but by their king's command.

As they pursue the enemy, they enter a forest—only to find honey dripping freely from the trees. No bees, no enemies, just sweet provision laid before them literally dropping from above. But the men do not eat, “no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath” (v. 26). Except for Jonathan, who, unaware of his father’s decree, dips his staff into a honeycomb and tastes it. Instantly, his eyes brighten, language that actually mimics the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Jonathan receives what God had provided for spoils, only to discover the curse his father has made to prevent its consumption by God's people. As he is told by the Israelites of this oath, Jonathan condemns it, saying, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

Fear of Leadership, Not Fear of God

By the time the Israelites finally defeat the Philistines, they are so famished they sin against God’s law—slaughtering and eating the spoil with the blood still in it. Levitical law had forbidden this (Leviticus 17:10–14), but the people were beyond restraint. Saul, realizing the severity of the sin, has a stone rolled over to properly slaughter the animals and builds an altar—his first—to the Lord (v. 35).

But the sequence is revealing. Saul's leadership created the hunger that led to the disobedience. His fear-based decree had greater sway over the people than the Law of God.

Even so, Saul doubles down and he plans to attack the Philistines again that very night. This time though, the priest intervenes: “Let us draw near to God” (v. 36). They seek the Lord, but no answer comes. Suspecting sin among them, Saul casts lots using the Urim and Thummim. The lot falls to Jonathan. He admits to tasting the honey and declares he is ready to die. Saul agrees and prepares to execute him. But the people rise in protest: “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it!” (v. 45). And so, it says they ransomed Jonathan that day—honoring the victory God had worked through him.

It's an interesting story of battle and approach. What could have been an amazing and providential tale of triumph ends in juxtaposition: was Jonathan, who led the victory and listened to the Lord, really the one at fault? The others were not perfect: Saul led the people in his own plan rather than the Lord’s, which was the cause of Jonathan unknowingly breaking an oath for his death, and the Israelites sinned before the Lord by eating the blood of their pillaged enemy’s animals. So what is this story really about and why was Jonathan the focus regarding sin against God?

The Takeaways

Let’s start from the beginning.

We can find the Lord’s voice in the midst of our actions. Saul waited for a specific moment to ask the Lord what to do but when he finally did, the Lord was already moving without Saul. Jonathan didn't wait passively—he moved forward in reckless trust and gave space for the Lord to guide the outcome. His obedience didn't require a multitude of others or even an audience, only faith.

What we bless and curse matters. Saul’s oath withheld what God would freely provide. Saul didn't want his enemies to get away and didn't trust that if people were nourished that they would still have total victory. But the Lord was ready to nourish in the midst of the battle. Words spoken without wisdom or discernment can strip God-given joy, strength, and provision from ourselves and others. Our speech carries spiritual weight.

Even the anointed can err—and God still honors their position. God choose to honor the foolish oath of His annointed over His own plan of blessing and provision. This should sober us. Saul’s foolish oath would have cost Jonathan his life had it not been ransomed. Leadership requires more than authority; it demands humility, wisdom, and discernment. The staff touching the honey could have been Saul’s scepter for the people, but instead he became their oppressor as well, leaving only Jonathan to taste the richness of this victory, under the penalty of death.

When we starve ourselves spiritually, sin follows. Saul only sought the Lord when his plan failed and he suddenly realized he couldn’t hear from Him. He was only interested in addressing the Lord as Judge following his decisions, but not as his Confidant, Counselor, or Battle Strategist. And the people, more fearful of Saul’s curse than God’s law, sinned in the same vein of desperation.

The day ends in tension. What began with bravery nearly ends in bloodshed. It wasn’t just Saul who failed, or Jonathan who erred, or the people who sinned—it was all of them. But it was Jonathan, Saul's son, who would have to answer for the sin. Just as in the Garden, where Adam’s disobedience brought the consequence of death for all mankind (Romans 5:12), here Saul’s rash decision unwittingly forces his son to bear a guilt he did not choose which would cost him his life. And in this, Jonathan becomes an image bearer of humanity’s hopeless condition: under the curse of death, even when we don't fully understand the law (Romans 6:23). Yet in this imperfect story, we glimpse the perfected one to come—not a son spared by the people, but the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who would give His life to ransom the people (Mark 10:45). And suddenly, this unusual tale of battle reveals the greater battle at hand, one that goes beyond the Philistines into one we, as believers, must face daily.

So, What Can We Do Differently?

• Ask God first—always. Let Him lead. Don’t let overwhelming emotions or even 'strategic' logic replace the Lord’s direction. He knows far better and desires to provide abundantly on the journey, let Him dictate.

• Be mindful of what you bless and curse. As a believer, you are anointed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 1 John 2:20). God takes our words seriously, so you should too. Don’t make rash oaths that limit Him or His provision. Speak life over yourself and your circumstances and trust Him to prosper and provide for your needs where He leads.

• Ask the Lord to reveal hidden sin. Just as the people ransomed Jonathan, Jesus ransoms us. Let conviction lead to repentance, and repentance lead to freedom, empowerment, and joy.

• Look for the Lord in your circumstances. Expect Him to fulfill more than just a singular role in your life. Don’t be like Saul, only wanting the Lord to judge your decisions after you’ve already acted, but trust Him as your Confidant and Friend who wants to walk with you daily and provide you with His wisdom in battle. Pursue a friendship with God- He has a personality and wants to be known, not assumed. Speak to Him about the possible outcomes and see where the Holy Spirit confirms and dictates. Invite His Spirit to stir and speak to you, even in quiet or hidden ways.

• Expect the battle—and the spoil. When you’re starved spiritually, other fears will consume you. Ask the Lord to nourish you in the midst of your battle. He has a sweet portion for you, even now. Expect His honey in the midst of the forest.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your perfect atonement through Jesus Christ. I repent for my desire to control and dictate my life’s leading and ask You to give me humility as I lay down this right and ask You to lead instead. Show me Your abundant provision even in my hard circumstances. Help me to fear You above all people and circumstances. Lord, I exchange my yoke for Yours, lead me in Your mercy and goodness and may I see the sweet joys You have for me this day. May nothing stand in the way of those joys: my circumstances, my emotions, or even my logic. Thank You for all that You do on my behalf, lead me in Your path of righteousness so that I may see goodness and mercy follow me this day, and everyday, for the rest of my life. You are so very good, help me to pursue Your friendship daily and in every area of my life. Thank you your pursuit of me. In the name of Jesus, amen.

A Creative Exercise with the Holy Spirit

Take time to reflect on the scene of Jonathan, the forest, the honey, and the staff. Picture the ground dripping with sweet, golden honey—unexpected provision in the midst of battle. Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire either an image or a word, and let Him lead your imagination.

Then, with pen & paper, step into a quiet moment of meditative creating. Invite the Lord to nourish your spirit and creativity as you dwell on His abundance. #ThisWroughtenArt #HoneyintheForest