Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Chapter 60
Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake
This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 13; 14.
After the assembly at Gilgal, Saul disbanded the army that had
come together at his call to overthrow the Ammonites. This was a
serious error. His army was filled with hope and courage by the
recent victory. If he had moved at once against other enemies of
Israel, he could have struck a mighty blow for the freedom of the
nation.
Meanwhile, the Philistines were active. They had still kept
some hill fortresses in Israel, and now they established themselves
in the very heart of the country. During their long oppressive rule,
the Philistines had tried to strengthen their power by forbidding the
Israelites to practice the trade of smiths, so they could not make
weapons of war. Even in peacetime, the Hebrews still took such
work to the Philistine camp. Discouraged by long oppression and
controlled by love of ease, the men of Israel had largely neglected to
provide themselves with weapons of war. The Israelites could obtain
bows and slings, but none of them possessed a spear or sword
except Saul and his son Jonathan.
Not until the second year of Saul's reign did he make an
attempt to subdue the Philistines. The first blow was struck by
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