Saul Revisited I Chronicles 10

I Chronicles 10:1 "Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down slain in mount Gilboa."

We take a short look at Saul as king. The chapter picks up after Saul has served as king and become jealous of David. He has also transgressed against the LORD and gone to a witch to get advice.

v4 "Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell upon it."

If I were the armourbearer, I would not want to kill the king either. At this point Saul's sons have been killed by the Philistines and the battle is lost. This was predicted by the LORD, that Saul would loose the kingdom and his sons would not reign in his place.

The Philistines celebrated their victory in a bad way: v10 "And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon."

Regardless of Saul's transgression, he was still of Israel and the anointed of God. David would not kill him when he had opportunity and it did not go unpunished with the Philistines. Samuel records the events that followed in the false god's house.

v13 "So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD; which he kept not and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it."

You may want to follow references back to Samuel for a more complete story.

Proverbs 27:1 "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

Keywords: Chronicles, Old Testament, Saul, Philistines, Bible Study. Saul is killed by his own sword after the battle is lost.