Quick on the heels of David’s victory, we have the sad tale of Saul’s demise. Was his death predictable? Yes. Was the manner of his death predictable? Perhaps. At least the manner of his death was consistent with his character.
When Saul realizes that many men of Israel both fled and were slain at the hand of the Philistines, he flees. In time, Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua are all killed by the Philistines, who are in aggressive pursuit of king Saul. Saul is struck by an arrow and is severely wounded.
Such was his state that Saul was sure to die, of that there was no doubt. His wound left him unable to effectively flee and the Philistine army was closing in. In a moment of desperation, and with no other alternatives from his perspective, Saul decides to kill himself by falling on his sword. Saul became his own murderer. Knowing Saul’s character, this is not terribly surprising. Saul sought worldly glory and honor, and he treasured the adulation of men over the approval of God. When it was clear that Saul was destined for shameful capture, likely torture and killing, he decided to do the deed himself. Would it have been more honorable for him to fight? Likely. But would that have changed the outcome of events? Likely not.
Much drama is made out of the head of Saul and his depraved body. Saul’s dedicated soldiers rescue his dead headless body from a temple, burn it, and bury it. They were also concerned with the worldly honor of their king. While there may be nothing inherently wrong with their actions, there is a background theme that overshadows their heroics. While these loyal men “saved” Saul’s body from degradation, Saul’s soul very well could have been perishing eternally in the depths of hell.
What is most interesting about Saul’s character in light of his death is where his mind went when he knew he would die. Rather than seeking God, he sought relief and escape from his dilemma. Yes, it was in character, and it demonstrates to us that the fruition of a poor character follows us all the way to the grave. Did Saul have time to repent and seek guidance from God? Yes. But Saul’s thinking was such that eternal considerations were not part of his mental checklist. He wanted to avoid torture, shame, and dishonor, and that is as far as his thinking went.
It is a reminder to us of the great immeasurable value in incorporating eternity into our everyday thinking. It will make a difference. If we consider God and our eternal fate when we make decisions and plans, our future will align with the values needed to get to heaven. If we only think as far as this world, our cares and the stakes will only be as high as the sky, and will not reach into eternity. Which is more important? The right selection is obvious.
Monday Night Bible Study 