Foundations Week 16, Day 5

Scripture Read: 1 Samuel 28 & 31
Title: Saul's Tragic Downfall
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men on the same day."  I Samuel 31:6

(E) Explain:  We now come to the tragic end of King Saul's life and ultimately his kingdom.  Before his last battle, Saul goes to a medium incognito, to have her summon the recently departed Samuel because God had departed from him and stopped speaking to him.  When Samuel is summoned he rebukes Saul and informs him of his pending demise on the following day.
The next day Saul goes to war with the Philistines and he, his sons, and all his men are killed in battle.  The Philistines desecrate his lifeless body by piercing him to a wall and removing his head.  The book of 1 Samuel ends with some valiant men reclaiming his body and giving him a proper burial.

(A) Application:   I refer to King Saul's death as a tragedy because it is a sad story.  The beginning of Saul's kingdom had so much potential.  He was a man filled with the Spirit and served the LORD, but then he started to be disobedient and his downfall began.  He was tormented throughout his life with evil spirits, jealousy, and anger.  His disobedience led to the Spirit departing from him and ultimately led to his death.
I think this passage serves as a good reminder that disobedience leads to death.  Now, I am not saying that if you are disobedient to God today He is going to kill you.  What I am saying is that when we allow sin to control us, God will stop blessing.  God desires for His children to walk in obedience to Him and to bring Him glory in all we do and say.  So, may we learn from the life of Saul about the importance of walking upright and in obedience to God and in doing so we can live a life filled with his blessings and if we choose to do the opposite God will not bless those who walk in rebellion.

(R) Respond: LORD, help me to walk in your ways and obedience to your Word.  Keep me from walking in rebellion and bringing dishonor to your name.
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