Travis Reese

Dear Friends,

How do we confront poor leadership and bad decision making?

Today’s reading from 1 Samuel 14:16-30 displays Saul’s poor leadership and how it negatively impacts his people, the Israelites. Always a flawed king, this story is an example of people close to him growing frustrated with his decision-making.

The passage starts with Saul planning for a battle and eventually leading his troops against a confused Philistine army. Victory looks certain, but Saul commands his army not to eat until the battle is over.

Jonathan didn’t hear this edict, as he left camp early to start his own fight with the enemy. Jonathan eats some honeycomb that he finds in the forest, is reenergized, and then sees his fellow Israelites weak since they were commanded to not eat.

Jonathan recognizes that his father’s decision creates negative consequences for the Israelites.

When I hear this story I wonder how we are supposed to question poor leadership.

How do we engage with others when we recognize poor decision making?

When reading about Saul we may naturally contemplate our own political leaders, but what about those in leadership at our jobs or in our community? Or what about the decisions made by family members or friends?

For Jonathan, it couldn’t be more complicated. He is a soldier disagreeing with his commanding officer, who happens to be his father, and the God-anointed king!

For us, how much can we “push back” against choices that we disagree with?

Are we allowed to disobey?

Jonathan didn’t disobey deliberately, but he understood the foolishness of not allowing the troops to eat and regain strength when they had the chance to inflict real damage on the Philistines.

Ultimately, Saul and Jonathan pay with their lives in their never-ending war with the Philistines. A series of bad decisions leading to their final moments.

When poor decisions are made that affect us, how much grace should we show, or how much should we speak up?

In Christ,

—Travis