not morally responsible. Considering how small an amount of nourishment had helped him in his weariness,

he could only deplore the rashness of his father, whose vow had, through the faintness which it entailed on

the people, defeated the very object he had sought.

At last the weary day closed in Ajalon, and with it ended the obligation upon the people. The pursuit was

stopped; and the people, ravenous for food, slew the animals "on the ground," felling them down, and

eating the meat without being careful to remove the blood. It is true that, when Saul heard of it, he reproved

the people for the sin which this involved, and took immediate steps to provide a proper slaughtering-place.

Still this breach of an express Divine command (Leviticus 19:26) must in fairness be laid to the charge of

Saul's rash vow. Nor could the building of a memorial-altar on the spot be regarded as altering the character

of what had taken place that day.

Night was closing around Ajalon. The place, the circumstances, nay, his very vow, could not but recall to

Saul the story of Joshua, and of his pursuit of the enemies of Israel (Joshua 10:12, 13). His proposal to follow

up the Philistines was willingly taken up by the people, who had meanwhile refreshed themselves and were

eager for the fray. Only the priests would first ask counsel of God. But no answer came, though sought by

Urim and Thummim. Some burden must lie upon Israel, and Saul with his usual rashness would bring it to

the test with whom lay the guilt, at the same time swearing by Jehovah that it should be avenged by death,

even though it rested on Jonathan, the victor of that day, who had "wrought this great salvation in Israel,"

nay, who "had wrought with God" that day. But the people, who well knew what Jonathan had done,

listened in dull silence. It must have been a weird scene as they gathered around the camp fire, and the

torches cast their fitful glare on those whose fate the lot was to decide. First it was to be between all the

people on the one side, and Saul and Jonathan on the other. A brief, solemn invocation, and the lot fell upon

Saul and his son. A second time it was cast, and now it pointed to Jonathan. Questioned by his father, he

told what he had done in ignorance. Still Saul persisted that his vow must be fulfilled. But now the people

interposed. He whom God had owned, and who had saved Israel, must not die. But the pursuit of the

Philistines was given up, and the campaign abruptly closed. And so ended in sorrow and disappointment

what had been begun in self-willed disobedience to God and distrustfulness of Him.