1 Samuel 14-15 & Mark 13

So the scene is set for the major battle between Israel and the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14. In place of Samuel, Ahijah, the chief priest is present to provide offerings to God if needed. Jonathan takes the initiative, along with his squire, to take the fight to the Philistines, and attacks an outpost. They do extremely well and Saul watching from afar seeks to know who has gone up to battle before him. It is determined that it is Jonathan, his son. In the midst of doing this checking, Saul releases the men to enter into battle, but before turning them loose, he had issued an oath that no one should eat until Israel has had a full measure of revenge against the Philistines.

As the Israeliltes route the Philistines, none eats save Jonathan who has some honey. Unbeknownst to Saul, who is now sending men to enjoy the spoils of the victory, his own son has earned his curse. When Saul seeks to send men after the Philistines that evening to wipe them out, he confers with the priests but his prayers are not answered. In order to determine why God has not answered him, he asks God by using the dice of Urim and Thummim, if Israel had sinned or if it was his house. It is his house and then he finds out that Jonathan has broken the oath of Saul. Saul then sets his mind to kill his son but the word of Israel is to spare him, so he does.

The chapter ends with a description of Saul's victories and a listing of his family.

Saul's fall from grace continues in 1 Samuel 15. God recalls the actions of the Amalekites during the wanderings of Israel and now seeks to punish them. God sends message to Saul through Samuel to wage war against the Amalekites and to kill everything, men, women, children, animals, everything.

Saul sends warnings to the Kenites, the descendants of Moses' father in law, who reside in the land of the Amalekites,  to leave or they too might perish. The Kenites leave and Israel goes up against the Amalekites and defeat them. The king is spared however, as well as much livestock. God is not pleased and Samuel is sent to tell Saul that he has erred and sinned against God. God has now chosen to rip the kingdom from Saul.

Mark 13

Jesus speaks of a coming time when there will be much turmoil in the world. This conversation is opened by an innocent comment by one of his followers about the magnificent building that was the temple. Jesus speaks, however, of a time when things will not be so peaceful, as he later describes to the disciples.

He talks of persecutions, of destruction, of the temple being defiled and of men proclaiming to be like Jesus. He warns the disciples to remain faithful, for the Spirit will empower them even if they are persecuted. The signs that the disciples will see, will witness to Christ's return, so the disciples must remain awake and watchful.