Philistines conquer and Saul dies

1 Samuel Chapter 31

Now the Philistines attacked Israel, forcing them to flee and many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa. They closed in on Saul and his sons and killed Jonathan, Abinadab and Malkishua. The Philistine archers wounded Saul severely and he told his armor bearer to take a sword and kill him before the Philistines could humiliate him. But the armor bearer refused, so Saul fell on his own sword and died. Then his armor bearer fell on his own sword and died beside his king.

When the Israelites on the other side of the Jezreel Valley and beyond Jordan saw that their army had been routed and Saul and his sons killed, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns. The next day, the Philistines went out and stripped the dead bodies and found Saul and his sons. They cut off Saul's head and proclaimed the news of Saul's death in their pagan temple and to all the people in the land of Philistia. They placed Saul's armor in the temple of the Ashoreths, and fastened his body to the wall of the city of Beth-shan.

But when the people of Jaesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, their warriors traveled all night to Beth-shan and took the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the wall. They brought them to Jabesh, where they burned the bodies. Then they took the remains and buried them beneath the tamarisk tree at Jabesh and they fasted for seven days.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Saul was tall, handsome, strong and rich but not a person we should emulate. He was small in the eyes of God and his sin made him ugly. He was spiritually bankrupt and commanded no respect or allegiance.

Saul's armor bearer faced a moral dilemma: should he carry out a sinful order from a man he was supposed to obey? He knew murder was wrong and decided not to kill his king. Saul knew the Philistines had a reputation for torturing their captives and did not want to risk physical mutilation. So Saul faced death much like he faced life- by taking matters into his own hands without thinking of God or asking for his guidance.

This is the last chapter of 1 Samuel. Contrast the differences betwen Samuel, the first judge, and Saul the first king. Saul was inconsistent, disobedient and self-willed. Samuel had consistency, obedience and a deep desire for God's will. He was dedicated to God. Saul was dedicated to himself.

With Saul's death, Israel could no longer believe that having a king like other nations, could solve all their problems. They had to face the fact that they had a sinful king. Saul had spurts of religion, but lacked real spirituality.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? The concept in this chapter is to show us how to face a moral dilemma, like the armor bearer, with courage and an ethical stance. Do you have the courage to face moral dilemma's in your life today? How will you face death? I hope it will be with courage. I hope you will remember to start facing life today with God. Remember that heroes are built by stacking each day with obedience, like building a wall. In time your wall will grow and be a defense against temptation. Keep working on that wall!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, is now able to speak and is working on rehab for paralysis. Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing. Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly. Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.