A TIME OF DEFEAT FOR ISRAEL
It was a time of defeat for Israel. We will see later how God also used this moment for David’s good. Last week we learned how God created some unbelievable circumstances for David. These unexpected events relieved him of having to go to battle with King Achish and the Philistine army.
David’s previous friends and allies were all bent on attacking Israel. Had David and his men stayed and protected King Achish (as he at first anticipated,) it would have ironically put them into a battle against Israel.
Not only that, but it would also have been the last battle for both King Saul and David’s beloved friend Jonathan. Both of them lost their lives in this sad battle. How fitting that David and his men were not in this place when it happened.
THE MERCIFUL KINDNESS OF GOD
God, in all of His great mercy and kindness, spared David from this miserable situation. The simultaneous battle David did participate in was against the Amalekites. That battle gained David an even deeper trust and respect from his followers. Their feelings toward David quickly changed when they experienced the complete restoration of their families and their properties.
David went from total chaos and confusion, to a place of gaining the good favor of all who knew him. Saul could no longer haunt him. He and all of his heirs were no longer in the picture. The people remembered David once again.
THE PHILISTINES DEFEAT ISRAEL
So, when the Philistines fought Israel, the men of Israel fled in fear. Many were slain at Mount Gilboa. The Philistines sought and killed Saul. Jonathan was slain, and Abidnadab, and Melchishua, all three of Saul’s sons.
When the archer’s arrows hit Saul, he knew his life was ending. Saul called to his armourbearer. He asked him to thrust his sword through him. King Saul did not want to die from the sword of the Philistines. However, Saul’s armourbearer was afraid. When Saul saw his reluctance, he took his own sword and fell upon it.
BROTHER-TO-BROTHER IN LIFE AND DEATH
After seeing what Saul did, his armourbearer fell on his own sword. Thus the armorbearer of Saul died with him. This made me recall that line by Lancelot again. It was, “Brother-to-brother in life and death.” The loyalty of an armorbearer is totally selfless. They live and die for the one to whom they pledge their allegiance. Saul’s guard was no different. The King died; so would he.
Perhaps Saul’s last act was a perfect summary of his whole life. Saul was always his own worst enemy.
The dynasty of King Saul ended that day. The Philistines defeated him. The men of Israel lay dead and scattered across the battlefield. Hearing what had happened, the men of Israel on the other side of the valley and on the other side of the Jordan left their cities and fled the land.
PHILISTINES ENJOY THE SPOILS
The empty cities began filling up with Philistines. They dwelled on the spoils of the people of Israel. Later the Philistine army went back to the battle grounds to strip the Israelites of any wealth or worth left upon the dead. Saul’s body, as well as the bodies of his sons, was sighted at Mount Gilboa.
They cut off Saul’s head and stripped him of his armor. His naked, headless body was displayed in public in front of their pagan idols. The people saw the head of Saul as a Philistine trophy of battle. They fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan. His armor was displayed in the pagan temple of Ashtaroth.
THE MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD
The men of Jabesh-Gilead heard what had happened to Saul. The valiant men arose in the night and took the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall. They brought them to Jabesh and burnt them. Afterward they took their bones and buried them under a tree at Jabesh. These valiant men then went to fast before the Lord for seven days.
END OF STUDY OF BOOK OF 1 SAMUEL
And this is where our study of the book of 1 Samuel ends. It has been a very interesting journey, one that this writer will expand upon in her summary book publication of 1 Samuel. I hope you enjoyed this study as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Now, we are going to take a two-week break. We will pause for a few days between the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. However, there is so much more of David’s story to ponder. It will be something to look forward to. Our every Thursday studies will continue again soon.
Our study of the book of 2 Samuel will begin on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. The COME AS A CHILD BIBLE STUDY will take a brief pause. Other interesting seasonal devotions will be blogging for your reading pleasure. Don’t forget to join us for thoughts on Thanksgiving. In the pause, we will share thoughts for celebrating a Christian Hanukkah. It is a good time to explore some of our other Winter season’s topics.
Are you now experiencing an increased desire to pick up the book of Psalms? This might be a great time to review. It is interesting to put David’s writings within the context of his stories. Possibly, we may publish a few of our own thoughts concerning his Psalms.
We want to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING to our readers. Thank you for participating in the COME AS A CHILD BIBLE STUDY. We love all of you here at The IN SEASON Lifestyle blogsite. Your names are at the top of our list of things we are most thankful for. Please do accept our sincere thanks. May God fill your home with blessings as you rejoice in the days to come.