Saul the Judge

A foolish vow, a child is threatened by that vow, and people advocate doing whatever seems best in their own eyes. Although these events take place in 1 Sam. 14, it seems like we have heard them before. In fact, if one reads straight through from Genesis to 1 Samuel, they will realize that they have heard this before. While this story in 1 Sam. 14 is about the foolishness of King Saul, there are many elements that seem reminiscent of the book of Judges.

For example, several times throughout the narrative, Saul's men advise him to "do whatever seems good to you" (NASB). One cannot help but think of the ending of Judges which states how everyone "did what was right in their own eyes." Instead of seeking God's advice, people simply acted on their own feelings, just as Saul makes a number of rash orders here.

Likewise, Saul seems like a newer version of the Judge Jephthah. Both characters make a foolish oath after military victories that end up affecting one of their children. In the case of Jephthah, he offers to sacrifice the first thing that greets him at his home, which results in his having to sacrifice/dedicate his daughter to God. In the case of Saul, he makes an oath that forbids any of his men from eating any honey, even though as Jonathon points out, the honey would help strengthen the troops. In the end, Saul is faced with the decision to kill his own son for violating the oath by eating honey. However, unlike Jephthah, Saul does not keep his oath but bends to the wishes of his people.

If these similarities between Saul and the book of Judges are intentional, then the effect is comparing the end of Saul's reign to the period of the judges. Although Saul is king and should be bringing more prosperity and unity to Israel, he reign is just as foolish and chaotic as the period of the judges. In fact, in some ways it is worse because he is even weaker than some of the leaders of old as he can't even keep his own oaths. Instead of remaining faithful to the tasks God gave him, he allows himself to be easily pushed around by his own feelings and by the wishes of his people.

Sampson: Hero or Tragedy?

We often think of the story of Sampson as a story of a hero. Children books and bibles celebrate his heroic feats against the Philistines and especially praise his final hour. In looking at his faith, we are pointed to Judges 16:30 which states that "he killed many more when he died than while he lived" (TNIV).

But, what if this is actually a tragic statement instead of a triumphant one. Indeed, Sampson had many issues during his life, particularly with pagan women. As one reads the story of Sampson, it seems that the only times he ever kills the Philistines is when he needs personal revenge. Never does he act on behalf of his people. Instead, he even seems to befriend the enemy (Judges 14:20-15:2). In this light, perhaps 16:30 can be seen as a tragic commentary on a life wasted. Although he was blessed with strength from God, he wasted that strength and ended up doing more for Israel when he was blind and a captive than in all the years he was healthy and free.

Furthermore, even though Sampson finally recognizes that it is god who gives him strength in the end, even here Sampson's desire is selfishly motivated. He does not act in order to free Israel or to show people that YHWH is greater than Dagon. Rather, he acts to "get revenge on the Philistines" for his "two eyes" (16:28). Given that this is the final judge mentioned, perhaps it is a sad commentary on the state of Israel and its leaders prior to the Kingdom period. Indeed, the life of Sampson seems to fit quite nicely with the final verse of Judges: "In those days...everyone did as they saw fit" (21:25, TNIV).

Regression of the Judges

"Then Israel did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals." (Judges 2:11)

Many of us have heard many of the stories from Judges. In fact, some of the most intriguing Old Testament stories come from this book. Sampson, Gideon, and Deborah all have amazing stories here. Additionally, for many years, readers have observed a recurring cycle of sin, oppression, call to God, and salvation. This cycle occurs over and over as Israel serves other Gods, is oppressed by her neighbors, calls to God, and receives salvation from a judge whom God sends.

Yet, it is also interesting that this cycle does not seem to be merely a circle. Rather, to me it seems like a spiral staircase. We've covered this ground before, and yet, it is not quite the same. In particular, there is a sense that, as Israel continues to serve their gods and Ba'als, the quality of their judges seems to worsen. Among the first few judges whom God sends are Ehud and Deborah. Both judges are moved by a strong conviction of commitment to God and boldly go to face the enemy. They live up to the charge to "be strong and courageous." These are people you want leading Israel.

However, then we come to Gideon. While Gideon demonstrates a good heart to serve God, he is also fearful. He doubts whether God will truly be with him and is a far cry from the leadership of Ehud and Deborah. After Gideon, the regression continues with the godless rule of Abimelek and the foolish oath of Jephthah. Finally, we come to Sampson. Although often regarded as a hero, the life of Sampson is really a tragedy. Although he was set up for greatness, Sampson chased after pagan women and prostitutes and only attacked the enemy when he needed personal revenge. In Sampson, the regression of the judges seems compete. Yet, as if this was not enough, the author ends the book with several stories (apparently out of order chronologically) about how everyone just did as they pleased without leadership and the horrific consequences that followed those actions.

So, why is there this regression? Perhaps the answer lies in the nature of idolatry. Idolatry is not a sin that ends with the worshiping of other gods. Idolatry leads to immorality, as Paul points out in Romans. Thus, the continuation of idolatry in Israel eventually consumed the whole community, including even the judges themselves. If uncleanness is a contagion within the community, then it was only a matter of time before the leaders of Israel fell to the same idolatry and immorality as the people. Perhaps there is also a sense in which this regression among the judges was a judgment from God. If the people continued to put in only half an effort in repenting, then God would being only putting in half an effort in saving. Or, one final possibility is that this literary feature is like Mark's gospel where the disciples seem to regress. Perhaps it is emphasizing the fallen-ness of humanity and our inability to fully follow God. In this sense, it emphasizes human sin and ensures that the focus remains on the faithfulness of God.