Saul dies a violent death

I Chronicles Chapter 10

The Philistines attacked Israel and forced them to flee. Then they closed in on King Saul and his sons and killed three of his sons. The Philistine archers wounded Saul severely and he begged his armor bearer to take his sword and kill him before the Philistines could come and humiliate him. But his armor bearer was afraid and would not kill the king. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died. And the Philistines moved in and occupied the towns of the fleeing Israelites.

The next day, when the Philistines went to strip the dead, they found the bodies of Saul and his sons. So they stripped off Saul's armor and cut off his head. they placed his armor in the temple of their gods, and fastened his head to the wall in the temple of Dagon.

When the people of Jabeth-gilead heard what had been done to Saul, their warriors went and brought the bodies of Saul and his sons back to Jabeth for burial.

Saul died because he was unfaithful to God. He failed to obey the Lord's command and consulted a medium instead of asking the Lord for guidance. So the Lord killed him and turned his kingdom over to David.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Dagon, the god of the Philistines, was believed to bring rain and rich harvests. They built temples for this god and even sacrificed their own children in them.

During Saul's reign, David hid from him and had opportunities to kill Saul. But David trusted in God's promise that he would be king in God's good timing.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? The valiant leaders who brought Saul's body back for burial show us that we must respect our God-given leaders. How easy to be critical of those who have authority over us. Often we focus only on their weaknesses. But we should respect the people we put in authority whether it be in government or in church or work.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
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.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.