1 Samuel 31 Devotional

The End of a King

“So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day.”1 Samuel 31:6 (BSB)

The book that began with a barren woman's prayer ends on a battlefield. On Mount Gilboa, Jonathan and two of his brothers are killed, Saul is badly wounded by archers, and when his armor-bearer will not kill him, Saul falls on his own sword (31:2-4). The king, his sons and his men all die that same day (31:6). The Philistines cut off his head and spread the news in their idols' temples (31:9). It is what the LORD had said through Samuel (28:19).

There is no gloating in the text, and there should be none in us. Saul's life is a sober warning. Yet the chapter closes with loyal courage: the men of Jabesh-gilead, whom Saul had once rescued, travel all night to recover the bodies and bury them (31:11-13). Israel's first king has fallen, but God's promise has not. He has already chosen David, and through David's line he would give a King whose kingdom will never end (Luke 1:32-33). Leaders fail, but God's purpose for his people goes on.

To think about: When leaders you trusted fall, how does God's unfailing promise of a forever King steady your hope?