Sabbath, July 6 – 1 Chronicles 9, 10 – Additional Reading: Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 66, “The Death of Saul”
1. What did the army of Israel do when they learned that Saul and his sons had died?
1 Chronicles 10:7
2. What reasons do 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 give for Saul’s death?
Commentary and Reflection:
The account in 1 Chronicles 9:1-34 pertains to the time of the exile, the period after David and Solomon. From verse 35 onward, the genealogy of Saul is recorded.
“Verses 35-44 are almost an exact duplicate of eh. 8:29-38. The genealogy of Saul is repeated, this time as an introduction to the account of his final rain in eh. 10, with which the narrative section of Chronicles begins.” — SDABC, 1 Chronicles 9:35
1 Chronicles 10 recounts the death of Saul and his sons in the battle with the Philistines, already told in 1 Samuel 31.
“Verses 1-12 parallel 1 Sam. 31:1-13. The two accounts are almost identical but certain variations do occur.” SDABC, 1 Chronicles 10:1
1 Chronicles 10 offers the reason for Saul’s death: “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” — 1 Chronicles 10:13-14
With these words, the narrative about the dynasty of David begins, which is the theme of the rest of the book of Chronicles.
As we learn, the causes of Saul’s death were twofold:
- Rebellion against the LORD.
- Consulting a medium.
Saul’s decisions led him into a downward spiral, and he ended up consulting the enemy. By that time, he was entirely in the enemy’s hands. He did not start by consulting a medium; his rebellion began by placing his judgment above God’s Word in what he considered a “minor” matter, taking the Amalekites’ haul, which God had forbidden. With this “small” act of personal discretion, his journey of rebellion began. His heart was not indeed with God. This rebellion ended in the loss of his life and a national and family tragedy.
Let us keep our hearts sensitive to the LORD’s commands and assignments, ready to consult Him, and eager to obey Him.
“So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.’” 1 Samuel 15:22-23
May God grant you a very blessed day.