The Summary of Sha’ul’s Wars
First Samuel 14: 47-52
The summary of Sha’ul’s wars DIG: Overall, was Sha’ul a strong leader or a weak leader? What do you think? Why? What was Sha’ul’s overall record as a general in his troops? Who did he fight against? Who was Abner? Why was Michal estranged from David? What is your overall feeling about Sha’ul’s family?
REFLECT: Is there an area of your life that would surprise other people, either positively or negatively? What wars are you fighting today? Do you feel like you’re winning or losing? Why? What can you do to turn the situation around? How does your family compare with Sha’ul’s family? Who can you help?
No matter which way Sha’ul turned, he defeated his enemies.
First Samuel 14 concludes with a short summary of the long reign of King Sha’ul. It shows us that much more could have been written about it, and that the incidents related in detail have been selected with a purpose. A similar summary can be seen in the commentary on life of David (see the commentary on the Life of David, to see link click Cx – David’s Victories).319
The summary of Sha’ul’s wars (14:47-48 and 52): So, Sha’ul took over the rulership of Isra’el. This is an unusual phrase, indicating that there had been internal opposition to overcome (10:27), while simultaneously engaging and defeating surrounding peoples, uneasy at Isra’el’s new status as a kingdom. Although for the most part we don’t know the times of extent of Sha’ul’s wars against his enemies, he was successful wherever he went.320 Sha’ul fought against all his enemies on every side – against Mo’av, the people of ‘Amon (Chapter 11), Edom, the kings of Tzovah and the Philistines. This list of campaigns puts Sha’ul in a new light. Isra’el’s king had won the allegiance of his men to the extent that they had followed him and fought off enemies near and far. No matter which way he turned, he defeated them in the early days of his reign (14:47). In anticipation of Sha’ul’s fiasco in Chapter 15, the narrator reserves the Amalekites for special attention. He demonstrated his strength by attacking ‘Amalek (see Ck – God Rejects Sha’ul), and he saved Isra’el from the power of those who were plundering them. This sums up the satisfaction felt by many, no doubt, who had hoped for just such security when they asked for a king. Sha’ul became their beloved king. Never before had Isra’el been so victorious with such a succession of invaders, and Sha’ul did it courageously.321
Chapter 14 concludes with reminders of the never-ending and all-pervasive Philistine threat, and of the king’s continuing need for fresh troops (the latter of which Samuel had warned the people about when they asked for a king in 8:11). Whenever Sha’ul saw any strong or courageous man, he recruited him into his service (14:48). Against all the other nations, Sha’ul was victorious, but not so with the Philistines. And the main cause of his failure with them was all because of his foolish oath (see Ch – Sha’ul’s Foolish Oath). As a result, as long as Sha’ul lived there was a bitter war against the Philistines (14:52).
The summary of Sha’ul’s family (14:49-51): The names of Sha’ul’s children are recorded in verse 49 and those of other family members appear in verses 50-51. In addition to his firstborn, Johnathan, Sha’ul had at least two other sons: Ishvi, who is probably to be identified with Ish-Bosheth (First Chronicles 8:33), since the latter was not killed (31:2) in Sha’ul’s last battle, and Malki-Shua. Each of the four references listed for Malki-Shua also includes the name of a fourth son, Abinadab; why he is not mentioned here in verse 49 is unknown. Sha’ul’s two daughters, Merav (Second Samuel 21:8), and Michal, are listed in their proper genealogical order (14:49). Both were later offered in marriage to David (18:17-27). However, even after being married to David, Michal was more loyal to the house of Sha’ul, than to her husband (see the Life of David Cr – The Ark Brought to Jerusalem: The Estrangement of David and Michal). Which cost her dearly. Sha’ul’s wife was named Achino‘am the daughter of Achima‘atz. Sha’ul had a concubine named Rizpah (2 Samuel 3:7). The commander of Sha’ul’s army was his cousin Abner. Sha’ul’s father, Kish, and his uncle Ner were both sons of Avi’el (14:50-51).322
Dear heavenly Father, praise You for being so wise and loving. How thankful I am that You have rescued people from the penalty of their sins, not according to how many wars they have won; but according to the faith I have in You. You come to dwell within those who trust in You. Jesus replied: Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them (John 14:23). The only way to enter heaven is thru accepting You as our sacrifice as the Lamb of God (John 1:29). You are so gracious to open your arms to all who will choose to call you their Lord and Savior. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” (Romans 10:9-11). How foolish it is for anyone to live to please themselves as the most important thing in their lives. This life will soon be over and eternity is forever! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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