1 Samuel 13:1-15, Cautiousness vs. rashness (1)

1)    Definition: Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions.

2)    Scripture: Prov. 8:5; 12:16,18,23; 13:16; 14:8,15-16,18; 15:5,23; 16:21; 18:15; 19:2,14; 20:25; 22:3; 25:11,20; 27:12; Gal. 4:4-5; 1 Peter 3:15.

3)    Underlying principle: God is sovereign over the universe and over our lives.  He not only has a right action but a right time for that action in every situation.  One of the things a “person of faith” is called to do is to “wait on the LORD.”

4)    Illustration:

a)    1 Sam. 13:1-15: Saul knew it was not for him to perform sacrifices.  That was the duty of the priest and Levites.  But he became impatient waiting for Samuel and Saul acted rashly when he offered a burnt offering.

b)    1 Sam. 14:24-46: In this story King Saul placed an obligation on his soldiers that was inconsistent with what God was going to do that day.  It was his pride that required the people to fast (abstain from food); Cursed be the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies” (v24).  Earlier in the day, Jonathan had determined that it was God’s time to attack the Philistines (14:8-10). 

c)    John 11:1-16: Jesus delayed going to deal with His ailing friend Lazarus.  Why?  Because He knew the will of His Father and what His Father would do that day (11:41-42). 

5)    Bible Study:

a)    In Proverbs the English term “prudence” relates to cautiousness.  O you simple ones, understand prudence (8:5a; cf. 1:4; 8:12).  The Merriam-Webster definition is “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.”  Dictionary.com gives “rashness” as an antonym of prudence.  The Hebrew term is defined as “craftiness, prudence.”  All this has to do with discipline in all our words, actions, and decisions. 

b)    Consider these Proverbs and what they say about caution and rashness..

i)      12:16: A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.  The fool gives no thought to his words; he “at once” reacts to a situation.

ii)   13:16: Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.  The prudent man thinks before he speaks; he gathers needed information before making his decision.  Similar to this is 14:15: The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.

iii)            15:23: A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!  Not only do our words need to be good; they need to be appropriate for the season.  More on this in the next post.