There is a curse on those who make unrighteous decrees. This is clear from Isaiah 10:1 – ““Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed” (NKJV). The flip side is that a rash ruler can bring a curse on his people. Saul’s men were fighting against the Philistines, yet he decreed that no one should eat. He placed them under an oath to give effect to the decree. The men of Israel obeyed, except Jonathan his son who was ignorant of the decree.  Though the people obeyed, they almost ran into trouble with God. By evening time, they had become so hungry that they began eating animals with their blood contrary to God’s instruction.

The problem with Saul was that he was overzealous. His zeal was not regulated by wisdom. If soldiers don’t eat, where then would they get the strength for the battle? He did not think through his decree before issuing it. Rashness can get us into trouble. The wise man, Solomon, counsels that it is better to be silent before God than to make a vow that we can’t keep. When dealing with issues that would impact a lot of people, we need to exercise restraint. We may even make better decisions by consulting with others.