Today we are reading 1 Samuel 31. In this chapter we read about the death of Saul and his sons. “Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.” 1 Samuel 31:1-7 ESV This is the tragic conclusion of Israel’s first king. God had rejected Saul after a series of bad choices. The final battle on Mt. Gilboa was the last chapter for Saul. What can we learn from Saul’s life? He was rejected for not obeying God with regard to the Amalekites. He made a rash vow that endangered his son. He sought out a witch to find God’s direction. For all this God allowed him to be defeated in battle. Pray that God would guide you in all your ways. Pastor Tim
