1 Samuel

1 Samuel 31: Saul’s life ends in defeat

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how Saul's reign ends on Mount Gilboa, and learn that the LORD ends the rule of a disobedient king, let us pray together. Ask Him to keep our hearts true, and to show us Jesus, the King who lives.

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

Proverbs 21:30

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You end the rule of a king who disobeys, and help us to trust Jesus, who lives forever. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines killed Jonathan and his brothers, and the archers wounded Saul, who was greatly distressed. Saul asked his armor bearer to kill him, but the armor bearer was terrified, so Saul fell on his own sword and died. The armor bearer also died, and Saul and his sons died together that day. The Philistines found Saul’s body and fastened it to the wall of Beth Shan. The men of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done, and they took the bodies, burned them, and fasted seven days.

As you read 1 Samuel 31, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD ends the rule of a disobedient king, and His people wait for the King He will send.

The Philistines fought Israel at Mount Gilboa, where Israel had camped in chapter 28, and the men of Israel fled and fell (verse 1). Jonathan and his two brothers died, and archers wounded Saul, who died that same day (verses 2 to 6). Samuel had told Saul this would happen, because Saul did not obey the LORD about Amalek (chapter 28 verses 18 and 19). The men of Israel in the valley and beyond the Jordan left their cities, and the Philistines came and lived in them (verse 7). The Philistines took Saul's armor to the house of their idols and displayed his body at Beth Shan (verses 9 and 10). The men of Jabesh Gilead, whom Saul had rescued, went all night to bring back the bodies (verses 11 and 12). They buried the bones under a tree and fasted seven days (verse 13). The first king, whom the people asked for, ends in defeat, and the LORD had already chosen David (chapter 16 verse 13). The LORD ends the rule of a disobedient king, and His people wait for the King He will send.

How does 1 Samuel 31 show us that the LORD ends the rule of a disobedient king, and that His people wait for the King He will send?

Saul’s disobedience ends in defeat.

The Philistines fought Israel on Mount Gilboa, and the men of Israel fled and fell (verse 1). Saul's sons died, and archers wounded Saul (verses 2 and 3). Verse 6 sums it up, that Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer and all his men died together that same day. Samuel had said Saul would be with him the next day because Saul did not obey (chapter 28 verses 18 and 19).

The men of Jabesh honor Saul in his death.

The Philistines put Saul's armor in their idols' house and displayed his body at Beth Shan (verses 9 and 10). When Jabesh Gilead heard of it, its valiant men went all night to bring the bodies back (verses 11 and 12). Saul had rescued their town from Nahash (chapter 11 verses 1 to 11). They buried the bones and fasted seven days (verse 13).

The LORD’s King will reign.

Saul's kingdom ended, and the LORD had already anointed David (chapter 16 verse 13). Samuel had said the LORD gave the kingdom to David (chapter 28 verse 17). The LORD's promise of a King whose kingdom has no end was still ahead. Jesus was born of David's offspring and declared the Son of God by the resurrection (Romans 1 verses 3 and 4).

Memorise

So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.

1 Samuel 31:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when everything fails, who is the King I trust?

Saul died on Mount Gilboa with his sons, and his reign ended in defeat. Samuel had told him the LORD would do this because he did not obey.

Every king we make for ourselves will fail, because every one of us is a sinner who needs a Saviour. The King the LORD sends does not fail. Jesus obeyed the Father to the end, and on the cross He carried the sin of His people. God raised Him from the dead, and His kingdom has no end. Nothing is missing from what He did.

Bow to Jesus as your King today. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Him. He forgives every sinner who bows to Him, and His reign never fails.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Saul’s kingdom ended in defeat, and that Jesus is the King who lives forever. Parents, you may want to explain verses 4 and 5 and 9 to 12 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that the King He sent lives forever, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

Psalm 17:15

Father, Saul’s kingdom ended in defeat, but You are the King who lives forever. Thank You that Jesus was raised and sits at Your right hand. Turn us from our own strength, and help us to trust Jesus as our King. Keep us close to Him this week. Amen.