There are some remarkable evidences that Jonathan’s statement that he made about his father in v.29 is absolutely true.  Not only did he trouble the land by putting a curse on any soldier who would eat during the battle but also he did some other mind-boggling things.  Notice:

He sat around while God was ready to fight – 14:2 – Jonathan sensed that something needed to happen [1-14] and that ‘s why he convinced his armor bearer to join him in a fight against a garrison of the Philistines – if he had asked his father [v.1], his request would have been denied

He wanted to know who to hold responsible for starting the fight – v.16-17 – He observed that there was chaos within the ranks of the Philistines – they were beating down one another [Jud 7:22; 2 Chr 20:23] – this is what happens when God gets involved in the fight – the enemy starts killing itself – in this case the soldiers were probably killing those who were retreating without command – nevertheless, Saul’s first concern was to find out who was missing from among his 600 men – he obviously recognized that someone from his group got the battle started and he wanted to know who it was – he was going to punish him

He delayed fighting in order to inquire of God – v.18-19 – It was obvious that the fight was going Israel’s way and the increase of noise convinced Saul that he needed to just get on with fighting – however, he hesitated and it is hard to tell exactly what was in his mind when he called for the ark – you can’t tell if it was just for show [15:30] or if he really he thought he needed to know what God wanted him to do [which is highly unlikely] – if he had known, Jonathan wouldn’t have had to sneak off to start fighting

He took the battle personally – v.24 – he threatened any man that would eat with a curse and thus the men were faint – but the reason for the oath was so that Saul could be avenged on HIS enemies – that’s what he said, “that I may be avenged on MINE enemies” – this was never his battle except in his own mind –

He weakened the strength of his own army – v.24, 29-31 – by putting them under a senseless curse, he limited the victory – and strangely the men feared his oath – Solomon said “the curse causeless shall not come,” [Prov 26:2] – and this certainly was a causeless curse – the Lord was the one responsible for the victory

He built an altar to offer sacrifice of the spoil to the Lord – v.35 – in 1 Sam 9:13, Samuel blessed the sacrifices in the few places where God allowed them – thus building this altar was against the law of God and the protection that Samuel afforded Israel in the sacrifices that they offered – remember that trouble Saul had at Gilgal [1 Sam 13:9-14] – in this case Saul kept the people from violating Deut 12:16, while he violated 12:13-14 himself [see also Lev 17:3-5]

He tried to execute an innocent man – v.37-45 – the reason God refused to answer Saul had nothing to do with Jonathan eating the honey – the trouble was with Saul all the way and the people knew it – that’s why they rescued Jonathan out of Saul’s hands – Saul already knew that Jonathan was the one missing at the beginning of the battle [v.17]  – and Saul knew that Jonathan was the one who would be credited with starting the fight against the Philistines and would thus be cheered for the victory that God wrought – Saul had already stolen the glory from a prior battle [13:4] – he was so narcissistic that he would rather blame and kill his own son than accept his own responsibility

A man like this is trouble for himself, his family, his men and his country!  Don’t be a Saul and pray to God that you don’t have to work with or for one like this!

He tried to execute an innocent man – v.37-45 – the reason God refused to answer Saul had nothing to do with Jonathan eating the honey – the trouble was with Saul all the way and the people knew it – that’s why they rescued Jonathan out of Saul’s hands – Saul already knew that Jonathan was the one missing at the beginning of the battle [v.17]  – and Saul knew that Jonathan was the one who would be credited with starting the fight against the Philistines and would thus be cheered for the victory that God wrought – Saul had already stolen the glory from a prior battle [13:4] – he was so narcissistic that he would rather blame and kill his own son than accept his own responsibility

A man like this is trouble for himself, his family, his men and his country!  Don’t be a Saul and pray to God that you don’t have to work with or for one like this!