God’s judgement fulfilled.
v1 The events of chapter 31 take place one day after chapter 28. After Saul consults the medium, the Philistines attacked Israel. David is not with the Philistine army as he was sent back in chapter 29.
v2-6 The way Saul died is significant because it reminds us of the reason Saul met his tragic end. Saul chose to take his own life to save himself from being humiliated by the Philistines. During his reign, Saul was always concerned with his public image. Saul’s last command was for his armour bearer to commit murder of the Lord’s anointed. During Saul’s reign, his men refused to carry out his commands when they went against God’s commands. Saul killed himself with his own sword, reflecting how his own personal actions ultimately led to his tragic end.
v7 This passage teaches us that God’s judgement of evil will ultimately be fulfilled. The prophecy of God’s judgement upon Saul in 1 Samuel 28:19 is fulfilled in this chapter. The prophecy of God’s judgement upon Eli’s house in 1 Samuel 4:11 was also fulfilled in 1 Samuel 2:34. In the same way, the prophecies of God’s final judgement in Revelation 20:11-15 will also be fulfilled.
Read 1 Samuel 31:1-7
As you recall Saul’s reign as king, what can you learn from the way Saul died?
What does verse 7 teach you about prophecies regarding God’s future judgement?
God uses the nations as instruments of His judgement.
v8-10 In ancient times, defeating your enemy in battle was proof that your god was more powerful. In 1 Samuel 5-6, God displayed His superiority over Daagon and His sovereignty over the gods of the Philistines (read more here). The Philistines were eager to celebrate their victory in the house of their idols to proclaim that their gods were stronger than Israel’s God. They hung Saul’s naked body on the walls of a Canaanite city to publicly humiliate Israel.
But in 1 Samuel 28:19, it is revealed that Israel did not lose because the Philistine gods were stronger. Israel was defeated because of their king’s disobedience. God displayed His sovereignty by using the Philistines to bring His judgement upon Saul’s house and the nation. In the Bible, it is mentioned multiple times that God uses the nations as instruments of His judgement (Jeremiah 25:9, Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah 13:17)
v11-13 Even though God brought judgement upon Saul, He still showed Saul mercy at the end. Despite Saul’s disobedience towards God, he did do some good during his reign. In 1 Samuel 11, Saul saved the city of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. These men repaid Saul’s kindness by retrieving their bodies and giving them a proper burial.
Read 1 Samuel 31:8-13.
Why did the Philistines announce their victory in their temples and put Saul’s armour in the temple of Ashtaroth?
What is the real reason Israel was defeated in battle? (Recall 1 Samuel 28:19)
What do the actions of the men of Jabesh-Gilead reveal about God’s heart toward Saul?
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