I Sam 13-14 A King's Ransom

March 30th,  I Samuel 13-14

       Today's story is certainly appropriate to our Easter Season. In the story we find Saul, soldiers and Saul's Son Jonathan. In short Saul issues a hurried vow for all to follow in the midst of a day of fighting. Jonathan didn't seem to get the message and violates the vow.
       To me this whole reading feels a little like the weather outside right now. It's foggy, snow is trying to melt, rain is trying to fall. The humidity is 89% and I'm not sure where this day is headed.
       Saul is a mix of asking God, followed by do whatever I want to do. Jonathan violates an instruction and it seems that in the past God strikes people pretty harsh for the same type of thing. But Saul's vow is not rooted in any "God" kind of response, just his own personal reaction and as I type this the fog seems to get thicker, not only in my neighborhood, but in this story as well.
       Some clarity comes in this story as the lots fall in Jonathan's lap to offer not only an explanation but also a confession of his misdeeds. Saul's proclamation is that Jonathan should pay with his life for his missteps.
        In the crescendo of this story the people step in " Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day" So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die."
       The people seem to recognize the fog also. Saul's our leader, Jonathan's worth following. It's a piece of the story that adds to the difficulty of Saul's leadership. But back to the ransom...
       People stepped in to save Jonathan. A ransom to save that which was guilty. Jesus has stepped into save us. To offer a ransom to save that which was guilty. Thank you Lord for life and for the price you paid for us!!