Let’s get our bearings on where we’re at right now.
So King Saul is in the midst of Israel’s first war with the Philistines which took place at a location called Mikhmas Pass.
This area was basically a WADI or dry riverbed that served as a highway for traveling merchants from the Jordan River Valley westward all the way to the Mediterranean Sea Coast.
Why was this highway so important to the Philistines?
It’s because they were in the shipping business.
They needed to control a piece of land that provided access to the sea.
Or to put it another way…
Philistia’s survival depended on the free flow of products from Point A to Point B.
In this case, Point A was the Jordan River Valley, and Point B was the Asia Continent north and east of them.
If the Philistines couldn’t control the merchant routes between these two points, their economic livelihood was doomed.
This is as good a time as ever to remind you of the main reason why this war was happening in the first place.
It all had to do with money and trade.
The Philistines’ main goal wasn’t to necessarily expand their national influence across the region.
They just wanted to take control of the resources that would secure their economic well-being.
And if you think about it, that’s why the United States is so involved with Middle Eastern affairs today.
It’s because we NEED the oil man!
We do NOT desire to conquer the Arabian nations.
We just need to make sure the trade routes remain open to ensure the free flow of oil.
Ya feeling me?
So, in the very same way, the Promised Land was also a key location for trade in the region.
That’s why the Philistines were willing to use force to make sure goods could go in and out of their coastal nation to trade with other countries near and far from Israel.
I tell you, there are so many parallels between then and now.
For instance, there are many Arab businessmen and political leaders who are okay with having American forces in their country because it benefits them economically.
But there are others who don’t see the benefits and feel that our presence is too controlling, an attack on their independence, and sometimes a threat to their way of life.
Again, it was the same in Canaan.
There were some Israelite clans and tribes that made agreements with the Philistines when they saw advantages in doing so.
However, most Israelites saw the Philistine presence in their lands as a threat and an attempt to dominate them, so they resisted it with all their might.
Now, consider Saul’s position.
He couldn’t be considered a true king if the Philistines could freely move around willy-nilly like a bunch of uncaged tigers.
Are you grasping what’s going on here?
I wanna make sure you get this man…
Because this is WHY the Bible is so freakin’ useful!
Not only to our spiritual health…
But also in terms of understanding how and why the world and history work.
The Philistines didn’t want to lose their economic livelihood.
And King Saul didn’t wanna give up any of his power to these uncircumcised gentile enemies.
In other words, the war we’re reading about here in chapter 14 was bound to happen.
And the Israelite leaders were well aware of this way before the first arrow was shot.
That’s why they wanted a big change in the government of Israel and pushed for the installation of a warrior king to lead them (and protect their interests) instead of a Judge.
Are you catching this?
Are you feeling me?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?
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