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Nearly every old testament book ends in either the death of a significant person or the curse or captivity of people. Which is quite a contrast to the New Testament books. Does anyone know how Matthew ends? A resurrection and spreading of good news to all nations.
But here in the Old Testament in 1 Samuel, this is the end of an era for Israel. It is the end of Saul’s reign on Israel’s throne. He was the first earthly king of Israel, he wasn’t God’s choice, no one really was other than the promised seed that would come that is Jesus Christ. But God capitulated to Israel’s desire for a visible head. Saul was a bad king. Saul was never a spiritual man. Saul never had any inclinations toward God or hungering and thirsting after righteousness. But even people, especially public figures engaged in war, are remembered as heroes by their own nation.
An honest obituary about what the enemy has done
- This leads me to an observation. One of the very compelling proofs that the Bible is the word of God is the way people are remembered in the book. No Israelite would write something like this about his own king who died in a battle fighting against their most vicious enemies. People generally see that as disrespectful.
- Even if you disagree with their politics, when men write histories of national leaders, there is an attempt to remember them well. Especially if a national leader died in battle. Then the morality and manner of their life is ignored to only remember the sacrifice. And any death in battle is remembered as a sacrifice by his own nation.
- Look at 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 for Saul’s obituary by God.
Saul’s sin
- This obituary identifies Saul’s sin.
- Disobeyed God’s word. Unwilling to fight battles he was told to fight.
- He let others fight for him
- Ever since Saul became king, one of his instructions from the LORD was to drive out the Philistines. But Saul refused to fight.
- Do you remember how David became famous in Israel? Fighting the Philistine giant Goliath. Not only does Saul envy David because of his fame, but he’s been able to have victory in an area Saul does not have victory. That will make a carnal soul very bitter!
- Because of his sin he becomes suicidal after he’s stuck by the enemy’s darts.
- Because of this he became a source of discouragement in verse 7 and loses ground to the enemy.
- Saul becomes a trophy for the enemy in verses 9-10.
- Would not seek the LORD until the LORD would not answer him.
Enemies not dealt with will destroy you
- Enemies want to steal, kill, and destroy. They don’t reason. Enemies are the world, flesh, and the devil.
- Saul misunderstands the enemy. He thinks if he ignores the enemy then the enemy will go away. The enemy you refuse to deal with will destroy you.
- This means personal enemies in your flesh; lusts that compete for real estate that belongs to God. Enemy of laziness, apathy, pride, anger, and lust.
