1 Chronicles 10
-The narrative of Saul’s death is depicted in this chapter
that parallels 1 Samuel 31. Israel was embittered in a struggle with the
Philistines on Mount Gilboa, which is a mountain on the edge of the Jezreel and
Jordan Valley’s intersection point. This was a strategic area for conquest with
the city of Beth-shean nearby, where Saul’s body was fastened to the wall (1
Samuel 31:10). As the battle raged, the men of Israel begin to flee as they
were losing and falling slain on the mountain. The Philistines pursued Saul and
his three sons striking down Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua and injuring
the king badly with the archers. As he feared the uncircumcised coming to abuse
him, he demanded his armor bearer to deliver a mercy killing, which the servant
would not do. Therefore, Saul fell on his own sword, thus committing suicide
when he felt like all was lost. His armor bearer likewise fell on his sword and
died (1 Chronicles 10:1-6). Israel forsook their cities in the area at this
point and the Philistines came and lived in them (1 Chronicles 10:7). The next
day the Philistines found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They
stripped him and took his head along with his armor around the land celebrating
their victory giving credit to their idols and offering them the spoils of war.
Saul’s head was fastened in the house of Dagon (1 Chronicles 10:10) and his
body was pinned to the wall of Bethshean (1 Samuel 31:10). His weapons were on
display in the temple of Ashtaroth, the goddess of fertility and sex (1 Samuel
31:10). In other words, he was made a mockery of by the Philistines. When the
valiant men of Jabesh-gilead heard all that the enemy had done, they arose and
took away the body of Saul and his sons and buried them properly under the oak
in Jabesh. After that they fasted seven days (1 Chronicles 10:11-12). “So Saul
died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the word
of the LORD which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a
medium, making inquiry of it, and did
not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to
David the son of Jesse (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).”
-*Application* A harsh reality for us should be to
understand that anything we do against God and His will can have very severe
consequences, and not just for us, but for those in our family or tribe. The
principle of cause and effect are at work here. We must keep our life pure in
the sight of the LORD God Almighty and He will bless. When we forsake Him, we shouldn’t
be surprised if and when horrible things come upon us with the enemy getting an
undeserved victory with mockery and disdain. God doesn’t need any of us, and if
we are unfaithful, He has no other recourse but to raise up another who will
have a heart fully devoted unto Him. This is how David is described (1 Samuel
13:14).
Verses to Memorize: 1
Chronicles 10:13-14
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