HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN! (26 OF 27)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: 1 Samuel 31:1-13
This content is part of a series.
How the Mighty Have Fallen! (26 of 27)
Series: Calling All Leaders
Keith Krell
1 Samuel 31:1-13
A South African man surprised nine men robbing his home. Seven of the robbers ran away, but the homeowner managed to shove two into his backyard pool. After realizing that one of the robbers couldn't swim, the homeowner jumped in to save him. The Cape Times reports that once out of the pool, the wet thief called to his friends to come back. Then he pulled a knife and threatened the man who had just rescued him. The homeowner said, ''We were still standing near the pool, and when I saw the knife I just threw him back in. But he was gasping for air and was drowning. So I rescued him again!''
In our study through 1 Samuel, King Saul seems to be just like one of these robbers! Time after time, Saul sins against God and the Lord disciplines him and saves him. If you and I are honest, we are a lot like King Saul and the South African robbers. Although we sin and violate God, He saves us and disciplines us, saves us and disciplines us. He is a God of astounding patience. However, we must recognize that there comes a time when God says, ''Enough is enough!'' In 1 Samuel 31 God finally turns Saul over to his own devices.
1. The deaths of Saul and Jonathan (31:1-6). This chapter resumes the storyline that left off at 28:25. On the day after Saul's visit to the witch of Endor, the Philistines launched an attack. The narrator writes: ''Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa'' (31:1). This succinct verse says it all. Hebrew narrative frequently gives such a terse summary at the beginning of a story and then fleshes it out with details. Like a bad dream, we must reach the end of it . . . and quickly! One battle note though: This verse doesn't mean the men of Israel were cowards. Rather, they were vastly outnumbered, fighting against superior numbers and superior weaponry. ...
Series: Calling All Leaders
Keith Krell
1 Samuel 31:1-13
A South African man surprised nine men robbing his home. Seven of the robbers ran away, but the homeowner managed to shove two into his backyard pool. After realizing that one of the robbers couldn't swim, the homeowner jumped in to save him. The Cape Times reports that once out of the pool, the wet thief called to his friends to come back. Then he pulled a knife and threatened the man who had just rescued him. The homeowner said, ''We were still standing near the pool, and when I saw the knife I just threw him back in. But he was gasping for air and was drowning. So I rescued him again!''
In our study through 1 Samuel, King Saul seems to be just like one of these robbers! Time after time, Saul sins against God and the Lord disciplines him and saves him. If you and I are honest, we are a lot like King Saul and the South African robbers. Although we sin and violate God, He saves us and disciplines us, saves us and disciplines us. He is a God of astounding patience. However, we must recognize that there comes a time when God says, ''Enough is enough!'' In 1 Samuel 31 God finally turns Saul over to his own devices.
1. The deaths of Saul and Jonathan (31:1-6). This chapter resumes the storyline that left off at 28:25. On the day after Saul's visit to the witch of Endor, the Philistines launched an attack. The narrator writes: ''Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa'' (31:1). This succinct verse says it all. Hebrew narrative frequently gives such a terse summary at the beginning of a story and then fleshes it out with details. Like a bad dream, we must reach the end of it . . . and quickly! One battle note though: This verse doesn't mean the men of Israel were cowards. Rather, they were vastly outnumbered, fighting against superior numbers and superior weaponry. ...
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