SCRIPTURE; 1 SAMUEL 31
SAUL TAKES HIS LIFE (vs. 1-13)
The Philistines fought against Israel and killed many on Mt. Gilboa. They pressed hard and killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadam and Malki Shua. Saul was wounded critically so he told his armor bearer to draw his sword and kill him. But the armor bearer would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and killed himself. Upon seeing Saul’s death, the armor bearer also committed suicide.
The Israelite army fled and and people of Israelites abandoned their town. The Philistines came to occupy them. The next day, the Philistines found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his armor. They brought his armor to the temple of their Ashtoreths to proclaim the news and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.
When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh were they burned them. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh. They fasted for 7 days.
THOUGHTS:
The sin of disobedience cost Saul’s life. Because he refused to kill all the Amalekites, one of them ended killing him.
The life of Saul teaches us 3 important lessons: (1) Be patient; (2) Be obedient; (3) Don’t make excuses.
The Philistines had a reputation for torturing their captives. Samson was one of them. So Saul did not want to risk physical mutilation or abuse. That was why he took his own life.
Consistent obedience to God’s law can build up a huge wall of strong character. It is a great defense against temptation. We should strive to constantly obey God’s command.
Contrast of Saul’s physical and spiritual personality: (By Warren Wiersbe)
- He was tall physically but small in God’s eyes.
- He was handsome physically but his sin made him ugly.
- He was strong physically but lack of faith made his weak spiritually.
- He was rich but spiritually bankrupt.
- He was a king but could not command respect or allegiance.
- He looks good on the outside but was decaying on the inside.
Therefore, a right relationship with God and a strong character are much more valuable than a good look in exterior.
Saul told his armor bearer to finish him but he did not. He was supposed to obey his master, but he knew murder was wrong. It is never right or ethical to carry out a wrong act no matter who gave the order or what the consequence for disobedience may be. When you face a moral dilemma, have you the courage to follow God’s law above human command?