Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake
After the assembly at Gilgal, Saul disbanded the army that had come together at his call to overthrow the Ammonites. This was a serious error. His army was filled with hope and courage by the recent victory. If he had moved at once against other enemies of Israel, he could have struck a mighty blow for the freedom of the nation.
BOE 311.1
Meanwhile, the Philistines were active. They had still kept some hill fortresses in Israel, and now they established themselves in the very heart of the country. During their long oppressive rule, the Philistines had tried to strengthen their power by forbidding the Israelites to practice the trade of smiths, so they could not make weapons of war. Even in peacetime, the Hebrews still took such work to the Philistine camp. Discouraged by long oppression and controlled by love of ease, the men of Israel had largely neglected to provide themselves with weapons of war. The Israelites could obtain bows and slings, but none of them possessed a spear or sword except Saul and his son Jonathan.
BOE 311.2
Not until the second year of Saul’s reign did he make an attempt to subdue the Philistines. The first blow was struck by Jonathan, who overcame their garrison at Geba. The exasperated Philistines got ready for a speedy attack on Israel. Saul declared war by the sound of the trumpet, calling all men of war, including the tribes across the Jordan, to assemble at Gilgal.
BOE 311.3
The Philistines had gathered an immense force at Michmash—“thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude.” Saul and his army at Gilgal were shocked at the mighty forces they would have to encounter in battle. Many were so terrified that they did not dare to come to the encounter. Others hid in caves and amid rocks in that region. As the time drew near, desertions rapidly increased, and those who did not leave were filled with terror.
BOE 311.4
When Saul was anointed king, Samuel had given him explicit directions about what he should do at this time. “You shall go down before me to Gilgal,” said the prophet, “and urely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.” (1 Samuel 10:8).
BOE 311.5
1974
BOE
Beginning of the End
[{"para_id":"1974.17","title":"Foreword","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0003_eng_m_foreword_1974_17.mp3#duration=121&size=1083520"},{"para_id":"1974.24","title":"Why Was Sin Permitted?","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0004_eng_m_why_was_sin_permitted_1974_24.mp3#duration=884&size=7189478"},{"para_id":"1974.61","title":"Creation: God\u2019s Answer to Evolution","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0009_eng_m_creation_god_s_answer_to_evolution_1974_61.mp3#duration=689&size=5628954"},{"para_id":"1974.95","title":"The Predicament of Our First Parents","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0013_eng_m_the_predicament_of_our_first_parents_1974_95.mp3#duration=1075&size=8718811"},{"para_id":"1974.152","title":"The Plan of Redemption Is Unveiled","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0018_eng_m_the_plan_of_redemption_is_unveiled_1974_152.mp3#duration=742&size=6050545"},{"para_id":"1974.187","title":"The First Murderer and His Victim","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0022_eng_m_the_first_murderer_and_his_victim_1974_187.mp3#duration=663&size=5418703"},{"para_id":"1974.220","title":"Seth: When Men Turned to God","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0025_eng_m_seth_when_men_turned_to_god_1974_220.mp3#duration=894&size=7269757"},{"para_id":"1974.262","title":"When the World Was Destroyed by Water","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0029_eng_m_when_the_world_was_destroyed_by_water_1974_262.mp3#duration=1158&size=9379686"},{"para_id":"1974.317","title":"After the Flood, a New Beginning","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0036_eng_m_after_the_flood_a_new_beginning_1974_317.mp3#duration=409&size=3383853"},{"para_id":"1974.338","title":"The Beginning of the Literal Week","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0038_eng_m_the_beginning_of_the_literal_week_1974_338.mp3#duration=460&size=3794870"},{"para_id":"1974.359","title":"When Languages Were Changed","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0040_eng_m_when_languages_were_changed_1974_359.mp3#duration=538&size=4415404"},{"para_id":"1974.387","title":"Abraham, the Father of All Believers","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0043_eng_m_abraham_the_father_of_all_believers_1974_387.mp3#duration=587&size=4808438"},{"para_id":"1974.419","title":"Abraham, a Good Neighbor in Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0047_eng_m_abraham_a_good_neighbor_in_canaan_1974_419.mp3#duration=1163&size=9421415"},{"para_id":"1974.478","title":"The Offering of Isaac: Test of Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0053_eng_m_the_offering_of_isaac_test_of_faith_1974_478.mp3#duration=1080&size=8758630"},{"para_id":"1974.536","title":"The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0061_eng_m_the_sin_of_sodom_and_gomorrah_1974_536.mp3#duration=1125&size=9112411"},{"para_id":"1974.588","title":"Isaac\u2019s Marriage: The Happiest in the Bible","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0066_eng_m_isaac_s_marriage_the_happiest_in_the_bible_1974_588.mp3#duration=670&size=5473035"},{"para_id":"1974.625","title":"Jacob and Esau","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0069_eng_m_jacob_and_esau_1974_625.mp3#duration=607&size=4975278"},{"para_id":"1974.659","title":"Jacob\u2019s Flight and Exile","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0073_eng_m_jacob_s_flight_and_exile_1974_659.mp3#duration=931&size=7565238"},{"para_id":"1974.706","title":"Jacob\u2019s Terrible Night of Wrestling","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0077_eng_m_jacob_s_terrible_night_of_wrestling_1974_706.mp3#duration=663&size=5418950"},{"para_id":"1974.743","title":"Jacob Comes Home","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0082_eng_m_jacob_comes_home_1974_743.mp3#duration=838&size=6822931"},{"para_id":"1974.789","title":"The Amazing Story of Joseph","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0085_eng_m_the_amazing_story_of_joseph_1974_789.mp3#duration=899&size=7311584"},{"para_id":"1974.837","title":"Joseph and His Brothers","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0090_eng_m_joseph_and_his_brothers_1974_837.mp3#duration=1844&size=14872806"},{"para_id":"1974.937","title":"Moses, the Leader of God\u2019s People","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0100_eng_m_moses_the_leader_of_god_s_people_1974_937.mp3#duration=1311&size=10602018"},{"para_id":"1974.1007","title":"The Ten Plagues of Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0107_eng_m_the_ten_plagues_of_egypt_1974_1007.mp3#duration=1418&size=11463045"},{"para_id":"1974.1086","title":"The First Passover","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0115_eng_m_the_first_passover_1974_1086.mp3#duration=487&size=4010356"},{"para_id":"1974.1110","title":"The Israelites Leave Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0118_eng_m_the_israelites_leave_egypt_1974_1110.mp3#duration=617&size=5054467"},{"para_id":"1974.1145","title":"Israel Meets With Difficulties","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0122_eng_m_israel_meets_with_difficulties_1974_1145.mp3#duration=1040&size=8439768"},{"para_id":"1974.1198","title":"God Gives His Law on Mount Sinai","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0128_eng_m_god_gives_his_law_on_mount_sinai_1974_1198.mp3#duration=1123&size=9103576"},{"para_id":"1974.1266","title":"Israel Worships a Golden Calf","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0133_eng_m_israel_worships_a_golden_calf_1974_1266.mp3#duration=1352&size=10932348"},{"para_id":"1974.1337","title":"Satan\u2019s Hatred of God\u2019s Law","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0142_eng_m_satan_s_hatred_of_god_s_law_1974_1337.mp3#duration=934&size=7591687"},{"para_id":"1974.1385","title":"The Sanctuary: God\u2019s Dwelling Place in Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0146_eng_m_the_sanctuary_god_s_dwelling_place_in_israel_1974_1385.mp3#duration=1390&size=11235083"},{"para_id":"1974.1451","title":"The Sin of Nadab and Abihu","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0153_eng_m_the_sin_of_nadab_and_abihu_1974_1451.mp3#duration=336&size=2802890"},{"para_id":"1974.1466","title":"The Grace of Christ and the New Covenant","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0155_eng_m_the_grace_of_christ_and_the_new_covenant_1974_1466.mp3#duration=980&size=7958243"},{"para_id":"1974.1514","title":"The Terrible Grumblings of God\u2019s People","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0160_eng_m_the_terrible_grumblings_of_god_s_people_1974_1514.mp3#duration=895&size=7276914"},{"para_id":"1974.1563","title":"Twelve Spies Survey Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0164_eng_m_twelve_spies_survey_canaan_1974_1563.mp3#duration=719&size=5870059"},{"para_id":"1974.1603","title":"Korah Leads a Rebellion","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0168_eng_m_korah_leads_a_rebellion_1974_1603.mp3#duration=915&size=7435716"},{"para_id":"1974.1658","title":"Forty Years of Wandering in the Wilderness","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0173_eng_m_forty_years_of_wandering_in_the_wilderness_1974_1658.mp3#duration=360&size=2993490"},{"para_id":"1974.1679","title":"Moses Fails on the Border of Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0175_eng_m_moses_fails_on_the_border_of_canaan_1974_1679.mp3#duration=665&size=5434926"},{"para_id":"1974.1712","title":"Why the Long Journey Around Edom?","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0178_eng_m_why_the_long_journey_around_edom_1974_1712.mp3#duration=1042&size=8450373"},{"para_id":"1974.1767","title":"The Conquest of Bashan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0184_eng_m_the_conquest_of_bashan_1974_1767.mp3#duration=481&size=3964854"},{"para_id":"1974.1792","title":"Balaam Tries to Curse Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0188_eng_m_balaam_tries_to_curse_israel_1974_1792.mp3#duration=1186&size=9603298"},{"para_id":"1974.1864","title":"How Balaam Led Israel into Sin","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0195_eng_m_how_balaam_led_israel_into_sin_1974_1864.mp3#duration=816&size=6642451"},{"para_id":"1974.1905","title":"God Teaches His Law to a New Generation","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0200_eng_m_god_teaches_his_law_to_a_new_generation_1974_1905.mp3#duration=631&size=5166916"},{"para_id":"1974.1936","title":"The Death of Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0202_eng_m_the_death_of_moses_1974_1936.mp3#duration=906&size=7367858"},{"para_id":"1974.1980","title":"Crossing the Jordan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0206_eng_m_crossing_the_jordan_1974_1980.mp3#duration=492&size=4048860"},{"para_id":"1974.2006","title":"The Miraculous Fall of Jericho","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0208_eng_m_the_miraculous_fall_of_jericho_1974_2006.mp3#duration=1015&size=8239147"},{"para_id":"1974.2059","title":"The Blessings and the Curses","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0214_eng_m_the_blessings_and_the_curses_1974_2059.mp3#duration=325&size=2718617"},{"para_id":"1974.2079","title":"A Canaanite Tribe Deceives Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0216_eng_m_a_canaanite_tribe_deceives_israel_1974_2079.mp3#duration=500&size=4111410"},{"para_id":"1974.2106","title":"Home at Last","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0219_eng_m_home_at_last_1974_2106.mp3#duration=1063&size=8619253"},{"para_id":"1974.2165","title":"The Last Words of Joshua","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0225_eng_m_the_last_words_of_joshua_1974_2165.mp3#duration=367&size=3048745"},{"para_id":"1974.2187","title":"The Blessing of Tithes and Offerings","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0227_eng_m_the_blessing_of_tithes_and_offerings_1974_2187.mp3#duration=330&size=2754779"},{"para_id":"1974.2205","title":"God\u2019s Care for the Poor","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0229_eng_m_god_s_care_for_the_poor_1974_2205.mp3#duration=620&size=5075417"},{"para_id":"1974.2242","title":"Annual Feasts of Rejoicing","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0233_eng_m_annual_feasts_of_rejoicing_1974_2242.mp3#duration=444&size=3664549"},{"para_id":"1974.2273","title":"The Judges, Deliverers of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0235_eng_m_the_judges_deliverers_of_israel_1974_2273.mp3#duration=1355&size=10957796"},{"para_id":"1974.2347","title":"Samson, the Strongest Yet Weakest Man","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0243_eng_m_samson_the_strongest_yet_weakest_man_1974_2347.mp3#duration=914&size=7430714"},{"para_id":"1974.2402","title":"God Calls the Child Samuel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0250_eng_m_god_calls_the_child_samuel_1974_2402.mp3#duration=496&size=4087162"},{"para_id":"1974.2429","title":"Eli and His Wicked Sons","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0253_eng_m_eli_and_his_wicked_sons_1974_2429.mp3#duration=498&size=4095783"},{"para_id":"1974.2452","title":"Punishment: The Ark Taken","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0256_eng_m_punishment_the_ark_taken_1974_2452.mp3#duration=1115&size=9038321"},{"para_id":"1974.2516","title":"The Schools of the Prophets","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0263_eng_m_the_schools_of_the_prophets_1974_2516.mp3#duration=708&size=5778374"},{"para_id":"1974.2552","title":"Saul, the First King of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0266_eng_m_saul_the_first_king_of_israel_1974_2552.mp3#duration=1146&size=9285605"},{"para_id":"1974.2612","title":"Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0271_eng_m_saul_makes_a_terrible_mistake_1974_2612.mp3#duration=824&size=6709110"},{"para_id":"1974.2656","title":"Saul Rejected as King","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0278_eng_m_saul_rejected_as_king_1974_2656.mp3#duration=852&size=6935376"},{"para_id":"1974.2700","title":"David Anointed as King","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0283_eng_m_david_anointed_as_king_1974_2700.mp3#duration=379&size=3146601"},{"para_id":"1974.2719","title":"David Kills Goliath","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0285_eng_m_david_kills_goliath_1974_2719.mp3#duration=562&size=4610644"},{"para_id":"1974.2752","title":"David Flees","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0289_eng_m_david_flees_1974_2752.mp3#duration=1019&size=8267489"},{"para_id":"1974.2809","title":"The Noble Spirit of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0296_eng_m_the_noble_spirit_of_david_1974_2809.mp3#duration=1152&size=9331102"},{"para_id":"1974.2871","title":"Saul Takes His Own Life","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0303_eng_m_saul_takes_his_own_life_1974_2871.mp3#duration=585&size=4792618"},{"para_id":"1974.2903","title":"Ancient and Modern Spiritualism","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0305_eng_m_ancient_and_modern_spiritualism_1974_2903.mp3#duration=520&size=4274468"},{"para_id":"1974.2927","title":"David\u2019s Heavy Trial","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0307_eng_m_david_s_heavy_trial_1974_2927.mp3#duration=609&size=4988218"},{"para_id":"1974.2962","title":"David Crowned King at Last","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0312_eng_m_david_crowned_king_at_last_1974_2962.mp3#duration=456&size=3764237"},{"para_id":"1974.2987","title":"The Prosperous Reign of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0314_eng_m_the_prosperous_reign_of_david_1974_2987.mp3#duration=1092&size=8854729"},{"para_id":"1974.3050","title":"David\u2019s Sin of Adultery and His Repentance","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0320_eng_m_david_s_sin_of_adultery_and_his_repentance_1974_3050.mp3#duration=915&size=7439398"},{"para_id":"1974.3100","title":"The Rebellion of Absalom, David\u2019s Son","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0325_eng_m_the_rebellion_of_absalom_david_s_son_1974_3100.mp3#duration=1670&size=13474687"},{"para_id":"1974.3188","title":"A Man After God\u2019s Own Heart","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0336_eng_m_a_man_after_god_s_own_heart_1974_3188.mp3#duration=803&size=6541668"}]