MONDAY October 28, 2019
God’s Word Fulfilled
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers.
1 Samuel 31:1-3
Saul was about 60 years old when he went into his final battle against the Philistines. The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons steadily to Mount Gilboa. Nothing deterred them. In the middle of this fierce battle, Saul’s three sons were cut down––killed. David’s loyal friend Jonathan was dead. Saul was in anguish and severely wounded––hit by the archers.
Remember when Saul had gone to see the witch of Endor? God pronounced His judgment on Saul for his disobedience. The prophecy the prophet Samuel had spoken to King Saul had come to pass:
“Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 28:18-19).
Jonathan was righteous, but died because of his father’s disobedience to God. All three of Saul’s sons suffered consequences because of their father’s sins. Saul was a man who started out empowered by the Spirit of God working in His life (1 Samuel 11:6). He had a great beginning, but he did not end well. He ended without the Spirit of God (1 Samuel 16:14). Every time I read this story, it just makes me weep. This is such a sad, sad ending of Saul’s life.
“For I am the Lord. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass…”
~Ezekiel 12:25~
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