“And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.”
My Notes
What Does 1 Samuel 14:18 Mean?
"Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel." Saul summons the ark during battle — wanting divine consultation before attacking the Philistines. The notation "the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel" seems to clarify an unusual situation: the ark is present with the army. After twenty years in Kirjath-jearim (7:2), the ark is apparently traveling with Israel's forces again.
Saul's request to "bring hither the ark" shows his understanding of the ark's function: it's the place where God speaks. The ephod on the high priest's breastplate (with the Urim and Thummim) provides divine guidance. Saul wants God's input before proceeding.
The irony is that Saul's consultation is interrupted (verse 19): "Withdraw thine hand" — he tells the priest to stop the inquiry because the battle situation has changed. Saul initiates divine consultation and then cancels it when circumstances seem to make the consultation unnecessary. He asks for God's guidance and then decides he doesn't need it.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What divine consultation are you cancelling because a human solution appeared first?
- 2.How does Saul's request-then-withdrawal pattern show up in your prayer life?
- 3.What happens when you answer your own prayer before God answers it?
- 4.What does 'withdraw thine hand' — cancelling God's consultation mid-process — produce long-term?
Devotional
Bring the ark. I want to hear from God. And then — before God answers — never mind. The situation changed. I don't need the consultation anymore. Saul asks for divine guidance and withdraws the request before the answer arrives.
The request-then-withdrawal pattern is Saul's spiritual disease: he approaches God for guidance and then abandons the approach when human circumstances seem to provide their own answer. The consultation is initiated and cancelled in the same scene. The seeking is real but impatient. The asking is genuine but uncommitted.
The ark's presence with the army means divine guidance is available. The high priest is there. The Urim and Thummim are accessible. The mechanism for hearing from God is deployed and ready. Everything Saul needs to receive God's direction is in place. And Saul says: never mind. I can figure this out myself.
The pattern of beginning-then-abandoning divine consultation is the pattern of every person who starts praying and then answers their own prayer: you begin the seeking. Circumstances shift. The seeking feels unnecessary because you can see a natural solution. So you tell the priest to withdraw his hand. You close the prayer before God closes it.
What divine consultation are you cancelling because circumstances seem to have answered the question? What prayer are you withdrawing from because a human solution appeared before God's answer arrived?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And Saul said unto Ahiah, bring hither the ark of the Lord,.... That he, the high priest, might put on the ephod, with…
For “the ark,” some read “the ephod,” owing to the improbability of the ark being with Saul at this time, and from the…
Bring hither the ark of God - He wished to inquire what use he should make of the present favorable circumstances, and…
We have here the prosecution and improvement of the wonderful advantages which Jonathan and his armour-bearer gained…
Bring hither the ark of God Saul wished to "inquire of God" before going to battle. See Num 27:21. But apart from the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture