Read: 1 Sam 14:23-
God saved Israel on one day, but the next day they had a new battle. This time the battle was in Beth-aven. Beth-aven means "house of vanity" so I looked up "vanity" in the dictionary. (Vanity - any thing or act that is vain, futile, idle, or worthless.) That about sums up what we read next. Saul goes on a power trip and decides no one can eat anything till he is avenged of his enemies. (When did they become his enemies and not their enemies?) They had to pass through woods that were dripping from honey. Notice how everytime you decide to go on a fast you get invited out to your favorite restaurant, or your mom invites you over for your favorite meal? So we feel their pain. Saul probably felt a little weakness in the ranks, so he puts a death curse on anyone who eats anything. Boy did that backfire. Jonathan, his son, wasn't around when Saul made this vow so when he saw the honey, he ate some and was immediately strengthined. Someone got up the nerve to tell Jonathan about the curse. Jonathan gave his opinion about his father's snap decision. He said they all would have fought better if they had eaten.
They did fight well that day, even though they were very weak. At the end of the day the people were famished and attacked the spoil, eating the meat uncooked; a total no-no in God's law. Saul attempts to right their wrong and brings over a rock for an altar and tells the people to bring their oxes for a huge sacrifice. At the bar-b-que Saul comes up with another vain plan. He wants to sneak down to the Philistine camp and slay the rest of them that night. His men have just fought all day on an empty stomach, gorged themselves on uncooked meat and now, he wants them to finish off the night with more war. This time the priests come to the rescue and suggest they ask God what to do. God is not speaking so they decide to find out why. It goes back to the vain vow Saul made about eating. Jonathan is chosen as the culprit and admits he ate honey since he didn't know about the foolish vow. His father has to keep his word, after all he is the king who has all the power so why should he repent. The people take up for Jonathan and get his life spared. God must have been pleased because he sent the Philistines home for a while.
The opposite of 'vanity' is purpose which translates to "God's will". If we walk in God's purpose for us evey moment we won't be making those vain decisions. Sounds good, but we all find ourselfs in the House of Vanity at some time. Next time instead of going to the next room hoping it will get better, I'm going to look for the door I came in and go out! There are no back doors in the house of vanity; Saul surely didn't find one.
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