the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
1 Samuel 31:1-13
While the events of ch. 30 are taking place, the battle between Israel and the Philistines has begun. It soon turns to the Philistines’ advantage as they have at their disposal a corps of archers so that the Israelites, shot at from a distance, are unable to use their weapons. Then suddenly all is lost for Saul. And, in contrast with David in the preceding chapter (v. 6), God is not with him either. The only tragic way out he can see is to take his own life. Judas is to do the same thing. But Saul is like many other poor people whose despair has driven them to suicide, rather than into the arms of the Lord. In wanting to escape from dishonour on earth, Saul only precipitates himself more quickly into eternal misery. Poor man! He had had the kingdom and all that one could wish for in this world. But what good is that for someone who has lost his own soul? (Mark 8:36).
The men of Jabesh-gilead, a town bound by ties of blood to the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:14), show their gratitude towards Saul because he had once delivered them (1 Samuel 11).
Now all the old order of things is put on one side to make room for the king God has chosen — David, a picture of Christ coming to reign in glory.
