Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Chronicles 10 Devotional

The King Who Never Asked

“and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”1 Chronicles 10:14 (BSB)

The battle on Mount Gilboa takes only a few verses. Israel flees, Saul's sons fall, and Saul, wounded by archers, falls on his own sword (10:1-6). The Philistines hang his head in the temple of Dagon, and the men of Jabesh-gilead bury the bodies (10:10-12). Then Chronicles gives its verdict. Saul died for his unfaithfulness: he did not keep the LORD's word, he consulted a medium, and he did not inquire of the LORD (10:13-14).

The sharpest line comes last. The LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David (10:14). Behind the archers stands the LORD himself, judging a king who looked for guidance everywhere except from him, and moving his purpose forward to the king he had chosen. Later, David asks God again and again what to do (14:10, 14:14). The difference between the two kings is not talent but whether they sought the LORD. He is willing to be asked, so the decision in front of you can go to him first.

To think about: Where are you looking for guidance today, and what would it mean to bring that decision to the LORD before anyone else?

About 1 Chronicles 10: The Death of Saul

The Philistines defeat Israel on Mount Gilboa, killing Saul’s sons, and the wounded Saul takes his own life. The Philistines spread the news through their idol temples, and brave fighters from Jabesh-gilead bury Saul. The chapter explains that the LORD judged Saul’s unfaithfulness and gave the kingdom to David.

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