The Death Of Saul

The end

Blood stained the grass. It soaked the dirt — the same dirt that shook under the weight of combat. The air was thick with the sounds of warfare, shouts of victory, and cries of defeat — the resounding shriek of metal on metal, and the sound of lives claimed by the sword. In the midst of it all lay God’s anointed, losing life with each breath to the arrow that had been guided into his flesh. So we find Saul in his last few minutes of life. Before we let our imagination witness his death, let’s rewind the story.

The last few days of Saul are a sad story for any brother or sister in Christ to read, or, at least they should be. How easy it is for us to feel a sense of vindication on David’s behalf when we read that Saul proves his ungodly and self-centered character to all by finally reaching death by suicide. I will put to my readers, however, that when we feel only this emotion we have severely missed the lessons left for us in the life of Saul. Of course we do feel relieved for David that his trials related to Saul are ended and that he will no longer be head hunted for simply being a faithful servant of the LORD. This feeling is appropriate.

When studying Saul’s life from start to finish we can (and should) see a Brother in Christ who was called by the most high to be a captain (not a king) to God’s people; to play a key role in the LORD’s purpose. We see a man whose beginning was not perfect, and not too unlike many of our own beginnings; a man who faced trials that fueled his flesh to the point that it overcame him at times; a man whose consequences followed him closer than his own shadow; a man who was given opportunity after opportunity to repent and continue in his calling before his God. A man whose life is not too different from any brother or sister in Christ.

Saul lacking spirituality

All of us come to a knowledge of the truth at some point in our lives. Whether raised in a Christadelphian home or exposed to the truth of God’s Holy Scriptures later in life, there came a point for each of us at which we became responsible to our Heavenly Father’s great and high calling. Saul’s start as captain of God’s people was no different. While searching for his father’s asses, Saul’s servant informed him that “there is in this city (Ramah) a man of God” (1 Sam 9:6). Take note here that it was Saul’s servant that knew at least something of this man of God. Neither of them, however, knew the seer by name. Later in the chapter we see that Saul approached Samuel himself and asked the whereabouts of the seer’s house (1 Sam 9:18). Imagine the thought process of Samuel here. He had just been told in the preceding verses that this man Saul would be captain over the nation of Israel — a man who was so lost in his spiritual life that he didn’t know a prophet when he saw one standing in a city with an alter during a feast time. The indication here that Saul’s spiritual life was in need of strengthening begs the question, of what things filled Saul’s mind on a daily basis? It was not a knowledge of ecclesial matters as is clearly seen by his lack of awareness of Samuel and his role, as well as the feast that was taking place. Where was his heart? Where were his priorities if they were not on such spiritual matters? Perhaps his thoughts were on himself or his own endeavors. Evidence from Scripture throughout Saul’s life seems to indicate that he was a man who was focused on the outward appearance and fleshly gain. After all, “there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people” (1 Sam 9:2). The attributes that Scripture takes the time to mention about Saul are all outward, and the people noticed. In 1Sam 9:20 Saul is told that the nation desired a man like him to be their leader. They wanted Saul’s outward appearance and his stature to lead them into battle against their enemies; to represent them. The nation, sadly, was not after his heart. God, however, was — just as much as he is after ours.

Saul’s first attempts to be spiritual show us how little he had let the Word seep into his heart: “… Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?” This was Saul’s response to Samuel’s news that the people desired to have him as their leader, who was to deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. These words of Saul show us a man who was so humble and meek that he felt that surely Samuel had the wrong person. Or do they? Gideon has a very similar reply to the angel of God when he is told that God had chosen him to deliver Israel from the Midianites: “Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Jdgs 6:15). Saul quoted faithful Gideon here in his response to God’s call. But, his response, unlike Gideon’s, lacked truth. In 1 Sam 9:1 we read that Saul’s father Kish was “a mighty man of power…” The word here for power is sometimes translated substance or wealth. Saul’s family was not least in the tribe of Benjamin! In fact, his family seems quite renowned. We see here Saul’s ability to find spiritual words from the faithful that went before him. What we do not see is Saul adopting the principles found behind the words.

How easy it is for us to fall into the same trap as Saul! How often in our lives do we (even with the best intentions) find ourselves quick to put on the outward appearance of spirituality, to use the words we feel we should say, when deep down inside the principal is absent? This mistake is often seen in our lives in retrospect but God has a way of touching our hearts to open our eyes to these types of (sometimes) well intended shortcomings.

And so was Saul’s start. We find him, like his father’s asses, lost. The Bible stories were present, but the principles were not yet rooted — the same way that most of us begin our walk in response to our Heavenly Father’s call: in need of much guidance and spiritual developing.

The early work of Saul as king

In 1st Samuel 11 we have recorded for us an amazing work by the newly appointed king. Right at the start of his rule he pulls off a brilliantly spiritual act that renewed the kingdom and gave the new king the start that he needed. When a desperate plea for reinforcements from the men of Jabesh-gilead reached the ears of Saul, he jumped at the call of duty to God’s people, despite the lack of reaction from the rest of the nation. In fact, he rallied the rest of the nation to come and fight for their brethren in Jabesh. Perhaps Saul was encouraging the nation to avoid such divisions as lay in their history with Jabesh-gilead (Jdgs 20:1, 21:1-9). Or perhaps his heart was just being moved to care for his people: “the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings” (1Sam 11:6). Whatever his reason he brought the nation together in his mighty and spiritual act. Can we relate to Saul here? Just think about that feeling just after our baptism when we are so spiritually energized by our new commitment that no task in the ecclesia seems too big to take on. When no work is too daunting when it is for the name of the LORD? That short period before any real trials have begun to break us down so that God can build us back up the way he wants us. Saul’s trials, just as ours, were fast approaching.

And come they did. In 1st Samuel 13 we see Saul’s mindset goes back to self-focus and worldly gain. He took credit when credit was not due to him. Jonathan slew a garrison of the Philistines, yet conveniently, “all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines…” (vs.4). We see Saul progressing back to his old ways. Jealousy this time drove him in the opposite direction of God and spoiled his relationship with those with whom he should have been closest. Are we ever guilty of this same (very human) shortcoming? Do we ever let our own fleshly pride sneak up on us and rob us of our relationships in the ecclesia? Saul’s focus was so much on his own gain that he traded his relationship with his own son for outward appearance and praise of the nation. Do we ever seek the outward appearance over genuine and godly relationships with those in our community? If we are very honest with ourselves, I think many of us will be able to think of times that we have, even if on a very small level.

Notice later in the chapter that Saul is actually given the chance to be like Jonathan. God worked that way with Saul. He wanted to be like others that he read about or witnessed and God decides time and time again to give Saul the opportunity to recreate those episodes and to be like those whom he looked up to or desired to be like. In verses 5-7 we see the Philistines now confronting Saul and his army to fight. The reaction? The people of Israel scattered in fear — hiding in caves and thickets even! Why so fearful? After all, Jonathan had just slain a whole garrison of the Philistines! But, the answer was in their leadership. Saul was their leader this time, not Jonathan. Saul had not disappeared into a cave to hide, but inside he wanted to — “As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.” (vs.7). The people followed suit with Saul. That short burst of spiritual stamina mentioned a few paragraphs ago had come and gone. The real trials of life and Saul’s calling now confronted him, just as they finally do for all of us.

We see in the next few verses that Saul again mishandled the situation and broke God’s law when he took it upon himself to offer burnt and peace offerings rather than wait for Samuel as he had been instructed. So, how do we (or did we) react to those first few real trials in our walk? I am talking about the trials that introduced us to the molding power of our God when He, as the potter, pressed us so hard that we were moved to change and conform to His ways. Did we handle them perfectly? Or were we, like Saul, caught off guard. I imagine most all of us learned the hard way in through those first few trials.

His relationship with his son continues a downward spiral in chapter 14 when Jonathan partook of the (foolishly) forbidden honey. We even see in 1 Sam 14:44 that “the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.” This was after a royal decree from the king himself that stated that Jonathan should die! Saul’s own countrymen did not have faith in their king enough to trust his judgement or follow his royal commands. Saul had miserably failed his calling. Recall his mission — “thou shalt anoint him (Saul) to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Sam 9:16). Saul had neither shown himself a worthy captain of God’s people nor delivered the nation. God constantly had to work through others to make this happen, as is seen in the next chapter when Samuel must step forward because of yet another of Saul’s failings when he spared Agag’s life. Saul did not see eye to eye with his God and that was evident. The next in line for the throne, however, did.

David appears

“…behold, he keepeth the sheep.” This is the first description of David recorded for us in Scripture. This is where he is found when his great calling begins. It was quite a contrast to the now soon-to-be dethroned king who was found to have “hid himself among the stuff” (1 Sam 10:22) when he was called forward to lead the nation. David looked after the ecclesia, Saul looked after himself. David put his best foot forward when called upon by his God, Saul has to be “fetched” (10:23), forced by the people to step forward. The first recorded words of David are also a great indication of his character: “who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam 17:26). Being completely focused on his God, David saw the battle against the giant as God’s battle, nothing of his own to bring him personal gain. At first, David’s character moved Saul to recruit him. He wanted his talent, his faith, his drive to use in his royal work. And David willingly served, as that was the type of man he was.

Everything was fine between Saul and David so long as David’s rank was far below the king’s. The jealousy began when Saul realized David’s potential was being noticed by the nation. In 1Sam 18:7 we read of David returning from the slaughter of the Philistines when the woman sang in the streets of Saul’s thousands slain and David’s ten thousands! The people continued to lose faith in their king as we saw earlier.

Now that David was present to fill in where Saul was lacking, Saul’s shortcomings were brutally exposed. There was no hiding his deficiencies now. He began to exist in the shadow of another. Saul quickly realized this as we can clearly see from his reply to the singing in vs. 8 “what can he have more but the kingdom?” The Jerusalem Bible translates this phrase “he has all but the kingship now.” Recall that Saul was to be captain over God’s people, but never a king. Saul can now see David surpassing him in this area and this drives his jealousy to rage and gives way to his mission of removing David.

Because the last several articles in this series have covered the life of David from his anointing up until our current topic, including the growing hostility from Saul toward David and the trials that ensued for both parties, I will not digress into the events already aptly covered by other brethren. Instead let’s fast forward to Saul’s last few days. It is in his final hours, and ultimately in his death, that the lessons of his life really hit close to home for any brother or sister in Christ.

The final days of Saul

In 1st Samuel 28 we find Saul again confronted by the Philistines. Not much has changed for Saul over the course of his life by way of his spiritual development. We read in vs.5, “And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.” This is a sad record to read. We read in 1 Sam 13:7 that he trembled at the sight of the Philistine army. After years of God trying to develop Saul’s character through many opportunities (some created especially for him), he continued to tremble. Saul would not let God into his life. He was well aware of His hand at work around him and even in his own life as we are told: “And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul” (1 Sam 18:12). However, his stubbornness and self-centered mind kept him distant from his God. In his final hours we read of his visit to the woman of Endor, a necromancer who, had Saul done his job thoroughly, should not have remained in Israel (1 Sam 28:3). It was during that visit that he was given the message from God that he and his sons will be dead in 24 hours’ time.

Imagine the impact that such a message would have on Saul. For all his personality defects and stubbornness to accept God, he knew the truth behind God’s words and he did not doubt them. We would expect that God was finished with Saul at this point. After all, what was there left for God to work with? But God is not like us. He is “merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty…” (Exod 36:6-7). We see God again giving Saul one more opportunity: a final 24 hours to give hard thought to whether or not he would remain guilty before God or change and let God forgive his iniquity. This would have been a solemn night for our brother Saul.

The next day brought battle on Mount Gilboa. Our beloved Jonathan and his brothers found death at the hand of the enemy, just as had been the message from God, and we find Saul where we left him at the beginning of our considerations.

Saul was alive enough to talk to his armor bearer and fear what the Philistines would do to him. Fatal as his wound was, he wasn’t going to die immediately. This was Saul’s final opportunity from God. After giving Saul a final 24 hour warning, God found it in His heart to use the last precious moments of those 24 hours to reach out to Saul one more time. Even now as he lay bleeding on the ground Saul could have repented. The words of David come to mind: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” (Psa 8:4). Even when we have removed ourselves from the presence of God, He still desires that we would repent and have us return to Him. This was the story of Saul’s life. But as is Saul’s way, he committed his life to his sword and the grave rather than to his God.

“And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:” (2Sam 1:17). We have a beautiful song in the next verses penned by David revealing his innermost emotion towards Saul and Jonathan. “The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: How are the mighty fallen!” The only way David could have recorded these words genuinely was by realizing the big picture — by understanding that the years he spent being chased by Saul belonged to God and he was using them to give Saul the opportunity to repent. That time was used for Saul’s benefit and we find no malice in David upon his death.

I hope that after briefly looking at the life and death of Saul we can all see that Saul was not too unlike any brother or sister in Christ. We have all been called. We all become overtaken by our flesh at times. And we all experience at some time or another, to some extent, the same fleshly emotions that Saul experienced. Let us heed the lessons left for us in his life that we might avoid such downfalls as became Saul and instead turn towards our God in response to the great invitation extended to us.