Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Saul Is Foolish Again
Determined to make the most of his advantage, the king rashly
forbade his soldiers to partake of food for the entire day. "Cursed is
the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken
vengeance on my enemies." The victory had already been gained
without Saul's knowledge or cooperation, but he hoped to
distinguish himself by the complete destruction of the defeated
army. The command to refrain from food showed that the king was
indifferent to the needs of his people when these conflicted with his
desire to exalt himself. By his own declaration, his goal was not
"that the Lord may take vengeance on His enemies," but "that I have
taken vengeance on my enemies."
The people had been engaged in warfare all day and were faint
because they had not eaten. As soon as the hours of restriction were
over, they rushed to the spoils and devoured meat with the blood,
violating the law that prohibited the eating of blood.
Jonathan had not heard of the king's command, and during the
day's battle he unwittingly offended by eating a little honey as he
passed through some woods. Saul had declared that anyone violating
his ban would be punished with death. Jonathan had not been guilty
of a willful sin, and God had brought about deliverance through
him, but the king declared that the sentence must be executed. "God
do so and more also," was his terrible sentence; "you shall surely
die, Jonathan."
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