1 Samuel 13:15-23 – When Hope is Gone
Chapters 13-14 really form one big story. Having rejected God as king, his people have a king of their own choosing – Saul. Now we see the consequences of this.
The situation they face is utterly dire. The enemy Philistine forces are huge: 30,000 chariots (like tanks), 6000 cavalry, and infantry like the sand at the beach. They have invaded deep into Israelite territory, even into the hilly heartland that should have provided some protection,. They are 5 miles from Saul’s hometown and arrayed against him just across a ravine. Saul has just 600 men, the rest are in hiding (13:6). There is terror in his camp (13:7). Raiders are ranging impudently across the north, west, and east (verses 16-18). They are blocking supply routes and reinforcements. They are ransacking as they go, leaving a trail of burning settlements, destroyed crops, and unburied corpses. The very name of these raiders means “destroyers”. Israel are poorly equipped, because they have no blacksmiths (verses 19-22). The Philistines have not shared the secret of tempering iron to make steel, which had the effect of keeping Israel under their thumb economically and militarily. The Philistines would have been equipped with long and strong iron swords, the Israelites with short bronze daggers. To compound all this, Saul has rejected the Word of God, himself being rejected by God, and Samuel has left. They are spiritually rudderless.
We can’t underestimate the dire position of God’s people here. There is no hope for them – they are powerless in face of such a great force. It’s an utter mismatch, an ant against a giant. There is terror and trembling all round. But sneak a peek at 14:23 – here is a God who saves when all is hopeless. When we are at our wits’ end, circumstances overpowering us, with nothing left with which to fight, then we are ready to see God work. Nothing can hinder him.
Questions
- Where do you feel the direness of your circumstances – at home, in church, in work, in society?
Prayer Points
- Thank God that nothing can hinder him from saving – not your weaknesses, nor your messes.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.