The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-08-22
Saul Makes a Foolish Vow

King Saul perceived the panic Great
ed among the Philistines by Jonathan
and his armour bearer at Michmash
and ordered a general advance upon
the enemy. Yet he did a very foolish
thing. Next to leaving open a line of
retreat, a commanders greatest care
is to see that his supplies are availa-
able and the commissary functioning.
| Napoleon's axiom that an army moves
on it's stomach is forever true. But
Saul at the very time when his SOL
diers were worn with the battle and
faint from pursuing the Philistines,
bound the people by an oath to eat no
food until the evening. Just then the
advancing host entered a wood where
honey was SO abundant that rich combs
of it lay upon the ground, but no man
put his hand to his mouth, for the peo-
pie feared Saul's oath.
Jonathan heard not when his father
charged the people with the oath,
wherefore he put forth the end of
the rod that was in his hand and
dipped it in an honey-comb and went
on eating the delicious morsel. AS he
! thus refreshed himself, a new light
shone in his eyes, and his strength
revived. One of the people, observ-
ing Jonathan's enjoyment Of the hon
ey-comb, said: "Thy father straitly
charged US with an oath, saying,
Cursed be the man that eateth any
food this day." Then said Jonathan;
my father hath troubled the land;
see, I pray you, how bright my eyes
have become because | tasted a lit
tie of this honey. How much more, if
haply the people had eaten freely to-
day of the spoil of their enemies
which they found? For had there not
now been far greater slaughter
among the Philistines?
Jonathan was right, for despite
WEAKNESS and faintness from fast
ing, the soldiers of Israel smote the
Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon,
terrain covering from forty to fifty
miles.
At length, thoroughly exhausted
from the march and the battle, they
broke through all restraint, falling
upon the sheep, oxen and calves, STAY
ing them on the ground, where they
ate them with the blood. When this
breach of discipline as well as of the
ceremonial law was reported to Saul,
he said: eye have transgressed: roll
great stone on me this day." How
ever, after this extravagant outburst,
he controlled himself sufficiently to
give orders for the proper preparation
of the meat.
Saul then built an altar unto the
Lord that thanks and sacrifices might
be offered because of the great victory
vouchsafed unto Israel. He also de-
sired guidance as to whether a night
attack should be made upon the
disorganlzed PhlllStines, thus COM
pleting the slaughter begun by Jona-
than. But no answer came, Saul then
caused officers and soldiers to assem-
BILE before him, to inquire whether
any had violated his foolish oath, de-
claring that even if it were Prince
Jonathan, he should die. The loyal
people would not disclose Jonathan's
sin in eating the honey, so Saul was
compelled to resort to the lot for
decision of guilt. Saul then placed
himself and Jonathan on one side,
and all Israel on the other, prayed
for perfect lot, and cast the die,
Saul and Jonathan were taken. Again
casting the die, the lot fell upon JON
athan.
Saul was quite ready to offer up