Day 141 – Saul & Jonathan Die

• We could have read 1 Samuel 31 to hear about Saul’s death, but the Bible occasionally tells us the same story in different places, so for a change, we’re dropping into Chronicles today. The books of Chronicles shares many stories with the books of the Kings, and as you can see, covers some of the books of Samuel too.
• As we know from yesterday’s passages, the Philistines were regularly attacking Israel. In today’s passage from 1 Chronicles 10, we see them win a battle against Saul and his army. How does Saul die (according to this passage, rather than the version in 2 Samuel 1)? Do you think this is a suitably sad way to end a troubled life?
• What do verses 13 and 14 say about the reasons for Saul’s death? Who does verse 14 say caused Saul’s death?
• Staying in 1 Chronicles 10, what did the men of Jabesh Gilead do after the Philistines took Saul’s body away? Use your study bible, if you have one, to find out why the people of this town wanted to bury Saul properly.
• Look at the version of events regarding Saul’s death as told by the Amalekite messenger in the 2 Samuel 1 passage. They’re different, and therefore he’s lying. What is he lying about? Why do you think the Amalekite lied to David?
• The boasting of the Amalekite backfired on him, didn’t it? What did David do? What lesson can we learn about lying? What did David give as the reason for killing the Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1:16?
• David’s response when he heard about the death of Saul and Jonathan are shown in 2 Samuel 1:11-12. Notice that he’s not just sad because Jonathan died. He’s genuinely grieving for Saul too. Why do you think this is? Isn’t Saul the guy who made David’s life miserable for the past few years? How could David grieve for him?
• What do we learn about David’s character today?
• What do we learn about God’s character today, especially in light of the verse in Ezekiel?

Today is quite a day. We say goodbye to Saul and his son Jonathan, and welcome David to the threshold of the throne of Israel – an earthly throne, at least. David is God’s choice for a king and we’ll find out how he’s going to do as we continue our reading together. From what we’ve seen of him so far, it’s reasonable to have high hopes for his reign.

The final chapter of Saul’s tragic life is worth contemplating for a moment. You’ll have known about Saul before you started this reading plan, I expect, but you might not have known everything that we’ve studied. I hope you can see now how the people’s choice for a king led them no closer to happiness or prosperity, jut as God had warned.

In contrast to Saul, today’s final footnote must go to Jonathan. Saul’s wise and godly-minded son was a great help to David and a rock in difficult times (most clearly noted in 1 Samuel 23:16 as Jonathan went to “strengthen David’s hand in God” during a particularly difficult moment). If you check out that verse, take a look at the one after it, in which Jonathan reminds David that he is the chosen king in waiting. Jonathan, as the king’s son, might have, at one point, assumed that he himself would be king. That would be the normal expectation for a king’s first-born son. But unlike his father, he showed not a hint of envy or jealousy at David’s calling to the throne. Instead, he focused on what jobs God did give him, and channelled his energies into supporting his closest buddy.

David will take the stage soon, and Saul’s life hits the tabloid headlines, but don’t forget Jonathan, his excellent example and his admirable humility.