The Lord's People & Leaders	Leader: Saul People: Children of Israel:men of Jabesh: 300,000 and 30,000 0f Judah
The Enemy's People & Leaders	King of Ammonites:Nahash the Ammonite, Leader; People: Ammonites
Object of the Battle	Nahash threatens the men of Jabesh with destruction and his covenantal way out for them is brutal. Saul, enraged, seeks to defend Israel and the Men of Jabesh against the brutal servitude or takeover.
Strategies of the Battle	Saul divides Israel into three companies: Ammonites are attacked in the morning watch Saul sends the companies down into the host of the Ammonites.
Place of the Battle	Announcement to Saul in Gibeah, Battle in Jabesh-Gilead
Intelligence	Men of Jabesh Gilead ask Nahash for 7 days to consider the 'terms' of surrender, which are for every man's right eye to be put out. The Men of Jabesh contact Saul in Gibeah, who enraged threatens Nahash and the Ammonites. The seven day hiatus is used to deliver the information to Saul and solicit help.
Results of the Battle	Israel slays the Ammonites 'until the heat of the day' Remnant of Ammonites scattered so that "two of them were not left together". I Samuel 11 :11 People seek to put to death any that doubted Saul, but Saul declares it a 'day of Salvation'.11:12
Reward	Complete Victory for Israel & Men of Jabesh Gilead Saul declares the renewal of the Kingdom in Gilgal People make Saul King in Gilgal Sacrifices of Peace offerings in Gilgal 11:15
Spiritual Implications	Israel builds a peace altar 11:15 in Gilgal Saul is made King because of his 'righteous indignation' against the cruel demands of Nahash: there is an indication that the Spirit of God filled him with the desire to defend Israel, but until after the battle, there is not an indication that the appointing of Saul as King was divine. This is a fine line: God yields to Israel and allows them a King after their own heart: but it is not the way God would choose: he admonished them to be content with Him as head of Israel. To teach Israel a lesson, He gives them the desire of their own hearts: Saul: an earthly King: tall, handsome, self-willed and strong. The end for Israel is disaster, although this "coronation" battle is used to 1)quench Saul's opponents and 2)begin the coronation. Gilgal is no chance place for the coronation. It is the place between Jericho and Jordan set as a memorial of covenant (Josh 4: 19-24); the place of renewal of an outward sign of covenant (Josh 5) and later in Israel's history, it is a place where idolatry takes hold. (Hosea 9). It is also the place where Saul is rejected by God. (I Sam 13). The battle itself appears to be God ordained, although Saul's retaliatory actions in inspiration do not have the same spiritual tone as the leaders of God such as Moses, Joshua, Gideon and Deborah who sought God diligently, prayed, waited and obeyed to the detail of battle. Here Saul appears to go in the power of God's Spirit in defense of Israel, but in a more visceral sense. He is given victory as God keeps his Word in covenant to His people.
Implications for Faith	The implications for faith are many, and have more to do with the coronation than the battle: 1-The people of Jabesh-Gilead, when confronted with a brutal threat, turn not to God but to a possible earthly King: Saul. They are given what they want, and it is seemingly fruitful because they win the battle. Even in this battle against the Ammonites though, the Spirit behind the defense of Israel is God's not Saul's. Saul appears to use his own strategy (similar to one of Gideon) of dividing a large army into 3 companies which surround and take the enemy from all sides. There is a type and shadow of a peace offering/sacrifice made at the time of the coronation of the King of Israel This is a great illustration of the effects of partial obedience. The obedience of Israel is seen in the willful sacrifice and thanksgiving to God for victory. The failing to seek God as diligently as they should have results in a seemingly perfect King who leads Israel into paths that are not always God's and in the end is driven to sorcery and madness. God's way, mixed with a carnal, idolatrized choice of a King other than God, shows later in the history of Israel the downfall of those who choose to mix the world and heaven together. ("Friendship with the World is emnity with God"). The fruit of the admixture is never good: in latter years this town of the idolatrous choice of a King is given over to idolatry. Bad choices metastisize and take hold like cancer. So do our own. In the end, Israel's tall, handsome, but carnal King succumbs to madness, witchcraft and death. God in Mercy already though had appointed a shepherd-boy King, of His choosing and nature, which sees His chosen through a most critical point in Israel's History.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts	1Gilgal means "A Circle, a wheel". Jabesh-Gilead means: dry, -rocky or strong (refs: Open Bible:KJV)

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Jonathan and the Philistines I Samuel 13

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The Lord's People & Leaders	Leader: Jonathan: Saul's Son & David's Friend People: Children of Israel, Men of Jericho 7:2
The Enemy's People & Leaders	The Philistines: 30,000 chariots 6000 horsemen and people declared as 'sands of the sea'. (v5)
Object of the Battle	To remove the stronghold of the Philistines from Israel
Strategies of the Battle	Saul takes 2000 of 3000 men with him in Michmash and Mt. Bethel Jonathan takes the remaining 1000 men in Gibeah and Benjamin I Sam 13:2; the rest left behind. When Israel sees the sheer number of the Philistines they are terrified: some hide in caves, some scatter, some flee: the rest are gathered to Saul. Saul waits 7 days, as instructed for Samuel to come and make sacrifice: Saul fails and takes on sacrifice himself which he is not ordained to do. (The State could not do the work of a Priest, even in Israel) Saul, impatient that Samuel has not come, disobeys God and offers a sacrifice by self will and the fear of the enemy. Samuel pronounces judgement: see results Saul also numbers the people (only 600), a sin before God in lack of trust. Saul and Jonathan abide in Gibeah in Benjamin; Philistines in Michmash Philistines use same strategy as Saul used against Ammonites: divide into three and surround: one to Ophrah in Shual and the other to Beth-horon, the last to the valley of Zeboim in the wilderness. The philistines cut off all Smiths from Israel's access (meaning no weapons). The priests, Ahiah, the Lord's priest in Shiloh comes up into Saul's camp: Jonathan and his shield bearer seek to go down to the Philistine garrison to overthrow by a few in God's power. The ark of God remains in the midst of Israel in Saul's camp Saul jumps into the battle when the confusion arises (see results) and all the men who were in hiding come back to join the battle as well as local Hebrew inhabitants.
Place of the Battle	First Attack against the Philistines in GEBA. Israel then called to Gilgal Philistines encamp at Michmash. I Sam 13:4 IN the end, the battle passes over to Bethaven.
Intelligence	Jonathan attacks garrison of philistines at Geba: Philistines hear about it and word is taken to Saul.
Results of the Battle	Because Saul did not fully obey God and wait: Samuel pronounces his kingdom will come to an end, but would have been established forever if he had waited. Samuel announces a new king will arise in Saul's place. Jonathan, having gone in the power of God to Michmash, makes himself known to the Philistines in their garrison: they think he is surrendering, he kills twenty. The Philistines in the garrison tremble (a quake is noted) and in fear turn in confusion on each other.
Reward	The initial twenty are defeated The garrison is taken Jonathan and his sword bearer who trusted the Lord lead Israel to victory with Saul coming in behind. Philistines soundly defeated: from "Michmash to Aijalon" v33. The Philistines are overwhelmingly demoralized and defeated vv22-23
Spiritual Implications	The first and most critical implication here dovetails with the battle against the Ammonites: Saul, a carnal King, has a son Jonathan who trusts the Lord (perhaps learning from David). Jonathan trusts the Lord on two counts: 1)That a few with God is stronger than an army without and 2) self-less-ness: he lays his own life on the line in Israel's defence. He relies totally on God. v 6 " for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few"...
Implications for Faith	Numbers matter almost not at all where there is trust and anointing of God Jonathan's trust overrode 1)Saul's doubt 2)Israel's fear 3) the lack of men and 4) the lack of weapons.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts	1The magnitude of Jonathan's victory here must not be understated: the Philistines were brutal and ruthless: their name has gone down in history as synonymous with the same. They were also so great in number, that Israel paled in numbers, weapons and strength and even those were cut off. The son instead of the father, the weaker instead of the greater, goes into battle against an Army that already knows Israel's strategy: and two turn a numberless army upon themselves.

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Saul Defeats the Amalekites: I Samuel 14

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The Lord's People & Leaders	Leaders: Saul, Jonathan; Children of Israel: 200.000 footmen and 10.000 men of Judah (against Amalekites)
The Enemy's People & Leaders	The Amalekites, Moab, Edom, children of Ammon, Kings of Zobah & Philistines
Object of the Battle	To soundly defeat the encamped enemies of Israel following the taking of the Philistines.
Strategies of the Battle	Saul consults with God, but same ambivalence: does not get answer, asks God to bless casting lots vs41. Jonathan in danger of curse of death has already defied his father in taking and giving to eat after battle. ( Jonathan shows more wisdom than father): the people of Israel rescue Jonathan from his father's 'oath'. Saul trusts in the lot Saul ceases to follow the Philistines, turns to the Amalekites and others: I Sam 14:46-7 Saul gathers a host against the Amalekites and 'smites' them. verse 48. Kenites dismissed from Amalekites, saving the kenites and weakening the Amalekites before Israel. (negotiation)
Place of the Battle	Saul turns to defeat Israel's enemies on every side: Moab, Ammon, Edom, Zobah and Philistines: turns last to Amalekites in what would appear the relative north. The kings and people mentioned suggest that Saul, ever the man of war met every foe and threat to Israel on all sides of Israel: Zobah is to the north, the Ammonites to the due East, Edom and Moab towards the South, Southeast: in other words Saul leads Israel into defense of its land borders. This is confirmed when in verses 47 and 52, where it is noted that wherever an adversary arose, he was their to quench the challenge to the nation. (Ch 15) Israel gathers at Telaim. Saul goes up to a "city of the Amalekites" and tells the Kenites to leave so Israel can fight only Amalek, because Kenites once showed kindness to Israel. vs 15:6
Intelligence	None specifically is mentioned: inspired in confidence by recent victories, Saul decides to take all the enemies of Israel.
Results of the Battle	All the enemies of Israel are temporarily subdued that spoiled Israel. There are indications it was not permanent because of mention of the subdoing of later uprisings. Amalekites "subdued from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt." vs 7 Saul spares Agag, but Samuel destroys. Saul was warned by God to utterly destroy but uses human reason in defiance to take spoil and spare Agag: costly mistake. Negative Result: Saul's demise as King comes via Samuel because of incomplete obedience. It is in this passage that the famous line "obedience is better than sacrifice" comes----and wherein rebellion is compared to the sin of witchcraft. That comparison becomes a virtual one by the end of Saul's life.
Reward	Israel has peace Israel is not spoiled by her enemies.
Spiritual Implications	Saul is seen here to be again far less 'spiritual' than his soon to come successor David: he approaches the things of God perhaps not lightly but not as much as in a trusting relationship with Him, but more in the same capacity with which he uses his 'advisors'. This is seen throughout his history: e.g. He does not wait for Samuel but rushes ahead with ritual; he chooses to ask God to bless a lot because he gets no answer from God; and later, he inquires against his own command of the Witch of Endor in a sorcery that defies description for the first "king" of Israel and heralds his predicted end.
Implications for Faith	One of the central themes in these battles of Saul and Jonathan against the threats to Israel, is that while God gave victory in each of the battles, only Jonathan succeeded God's way: trusting in God and not numbers, power or military strength. He went in faith. His father went in the valor of man, trusting in his own strength and wisdom. The selection of a worldly king over God wrought two things in Israel: military victories as they had hoped, but constant incomplete wars and threats, idolatry, and eventually a kingdom given to confusion with a King gone mad: chasing God's true anointed Choice for King, David across the desert. The result was devastating for David until Saul was laid aside by God, costly for Israel, and planted the seeds of idolatry and dissension.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts	1The Amalekites still plagued Israel since the time of Moses and before. They were defeated by Joshua, Gideon, Saul and David as well as others. Their utter destruction was predicted as far back as Exodus 17, but their total demise did not occur till David and then the Simeonites. Haman is listed as an Agagite: Agag was the King wrongly spared by Saul but killed by Samuel. It is interesting to note that centuries later the spirit of this conflict continues: Haman the Agagite/Amalekite opposes Mordecai, descended also from Kish.