I think most people have experienced, at some point in life, a leader who was more interested in his or her own gain than in the good of those he or she is leading. This could be supervisors or managers in the workplace caring only for their own careers. Parents neglecting the needs and desires of their children out of self-focus. Maybe even pastors working harder for popularity in the congregation rather than for the spiritual health and development of the church. 

 

Saul comes across in this passage as a tremendously self-centered leader. The Israelites' conflict with the Philistines has become a matter of personal vengeance and pride. It is obvious that when sending an army to battle, they will perform best if they are well fed, but instead of providing for his army's physical needs, Saul bans any of his men from eating. This is not something God has asked him to do. In doing so, he puts his forces at a distinct disadvantage, as they are doubtlessly going to battle against a well-fed Philistine army. In the language of James, he is trying to praise God by attacking the Philistines while cursing his own men. 

 

Not only are the men faint, but their tremendous hunger leads to breaking of God's commands. When the famished men desperately begin to eat raw meat, with the blood still inside, they directly violate a specific directive given to the nation of Israel by God, no doubt partially to protect them from infection and disease caused by eating undercooked or raw meat. This violation seems to be egregious enough for God to be silent when Saul consults God for direction about whether to continue to pursue the Philistines. Saul even stands ready to kill his own son, the initiator of the great victory of the day, for unknowingly violating his selfish command. 

 

Saul has forgotten that as king of Israel, his duty is not to his ego, but to act in the best interests of his people, and to lead as a servant of the great King Yahweh. His dereliction of this duty comes close to bringing great tragedy. 

 

It is easy for me to recognize this kind of self-focused leadership in other people, but more important is to watch for it in myself. Leadership is a great privilege, and a dangerous one, as we begin to serve ourselves and not those we have been appointed to lead. I am challenged by this passage to be wary of the condition of my heart as I lead, whether as a small group leader at Browncroft or a bassoon teacher at Eastman. 

 

A fellow traveler, 

 

Ben