Study 1 Chronicles 10 and Saul's death, revealing the consequences of rejection and God's sovereign plan to transfer the kingdom.
The tenth chapter of 1 Chronicles marks a significant transition in the book. The Chronicler moves from genealogies to historical narrative. The first major event recorded is the death of King Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. This account serves as a theological introduction to the reign of David, demonstrating that Saul's demise was not merely a military defeat but a divine judgment for his disobedience.
The chapter records that the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. The battle went against Saul, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Saul took his own sword and fell upon it, choosing death rather than capture by the Philistines. The death of Saul was the culmination of a life marked by disobedience and rejection of God.
The Chronicler provides the theological explanation for Saul's death: Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not. He had consulted a medium instead of seeking the Lord. The Lord therefore slew him and turned the kingdom to David. The account demonstrates that rejection of God's word leads to judgment and that God's purposes are accomplished despite human failure.
The Battle on Mount Gilboa
The Defeat of Israel
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa (1 Chronicles 10:1). The Philistines were the perennial enemies of Israel. The battle on Mount Gilboa was a decisive defeat for the Israelites. The men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and many were killed.
The location of the battle was significant. Mount Gilboa was in the territory of Issachar, near the Jezreel Valley. The defeat was a national tragedy that resulted in the death of the king and his sons. The loss of the battle was a consequence of Saul's rejection of God.
The Death of Saul's Sons
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul (1 Chronicles 10:2). The death of Saul's sons was a devastating blow to the royal family. Jonathan, Saul's eldest son and David's beloved friend, was killed in the battle. The death of Jonathan was a loss to the nation.
The death of Saul's sons meant that the dynasty of Saul would not continue. The kingship would be transferred to David, as God had promised. The death of the sons was part of the divine judgment on Saul's house.
The Wounding of Saul
And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers (1 Chronicles 10:3). Saul was severely wounded by the Philistine archers. The wounds were fatal, and Saul knew that his death was imminent. The king who had rejected God was now facing the consequences of his disobedience.
Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it (1 Chronicles 10:4). Saul chose to take his own life rather than be captured by the Philistines. The fear of abuse was a humiliating end for the king of Israel.
The Death of Saul
And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died (1 Chronicles 10:5). The armourbearer followed his master in death. The loyalty of the armourbearer was a testament to his commitment to Saul. So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together (1 Chronicles 10:6). The death of Saul and his sons marked the end of the house of Saul.
The Aftermath of the Battle
The Abandonment of the Cities
And when the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them (1 Chronicles 10:7). The defeat of the army and the death of the king caused a panic among the Israelites. The people abandoned their cities, and the Philistines occupied them. The defeat was a national catastrophe.
The Desecration of Saul's Body
And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa (1 Chronicles 10:8). The Philistines came to strip the bodies of the dead. They found the bodies of Saul and his sons and desecrated them. And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people (1 Chronicles 10:9). The Philistines took Saul's head and armor as trophies of their victory.
And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon (1 Chronicles 10:10). The Philistines displayed Saul's armor and head in the temples of their gods. The act was a desecration of the king of Israel and a blasphemy against the God of Israel. The victory of the Philistines was a temporary triumph, but the God of Israel would ultimately prevail.
The Burial of Saul
And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul (1 Chronicles 10:11). The men of Jabesh-gilead remembered Saul's kindness to them. Saul had rescued them from the Ammonites early in his reign (1 Samuel 11). The people of Jabesh-gilead showed their gratitude by retrieving the bodies of Saul and his sons.
They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days (1 Chronicles 10:12). The burial was an act of loyalty and honor. The men of Jabesh-gilead risked their lives to give Saul and his sons a proper burial. The act demonstrated that Saul was still honored by some despite his failures.
The Theological Explanation
The Sin of Saul
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not (1 Chronicles 10:13). The Chronicler provides the theological explanation for Saul's death. Saul died because of his transgression against the Lord. He had disobeyed the word of the Lord and had not kept His commandments.
The phrase transgression is a strong word indicating a willful violation of God's law. Saul had deliberately disobeyed God's commands on multiple occasions. The most significant transgression was his failure to destroy the Amalekites as commanded (1 Samuel 15). His disobedience led to his rejection as king.
The Consultation of the Medium
And also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it (1 Chronicles 10:13). Saul had consulted the medium at Endor to seek guidance from the dead (1 Samuel 28). The act was a violation of the law of Moses, which prohibited divination and the consultation of mediums (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Saul's consultation of a medium was the final act of rebellion against God.
The Hebrew words for familiar spirit indicate a person who consulted spirits of the dead, or was a ventriloquist. The act of consulting a medium was a rejection of the word of God and a turning to pagan practices. Saul's sin was not merely an error but a deliberate turning away from God.
The Divine Judgment
And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse (1 Chronicles 10:14). The consequence of Saul's sin was death and the transfer of the kingdom to David. The Lord turned the kingdom to David because Saul had rejected God's word.
The lesson for believers is the seriousness of disobedience and the importance of seeking God's guidance. The writer of Proverbs writes: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Saul's failure to trust and obey God led to his downfall.
Lessons from 1 Chronicles 10
The Consequences of Disobedience
Saul's death demonstrates the consequences of disobedience to God. He had rejected the word of the Lord and turned to pagan practices. The lesson for believers is the seriousness of sin and the importance of obedience. The apostle Paul writes: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
The Danger of Pride
Saul's refusal to humble himself before God led to his downfall. He chose to take his own life rather than face the consequences of his defeat. The lesson for believers is the danger of pride and self-reliance. The apostle Peter writes: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).
The Sovereignty of God
Despite Saul's failure, God's purposes were accomplished. The kingdom was transferred to David, who was a man after God's own heart. The lesson for believers is the sovereignty of God over human history. The psalmist writes: The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all (Psalm 103:19).
The Importance of Seeking God
Saul's fatal mistake was his failure to seek the Lord. He consulted a medium instead of seeking guidance from God. The lesson for believers is the importance of seeking God in all circumstances. The writer of Hebrews writes: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Connections to Scripture
The Law of Moses
Saul's consultation of the medium violated the law of Moses. The law prohibited divination and the consultation of mediums (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The lesson for believers is the importance of adhering to God's word.
The Rejection of Saul
The rejection of Saul is recorded in 1 Samuel 15:22-23. Samuel declared that obedience is better than sacrifice and that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Saul's rejection was the consequence of his disobedience.
The New Testament Application
The death of Saul points forward to the judgment that awaits all who reject God. Yet the grace of God is available to all who repent and believe. The apostle Paul writes: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24).
Conclusion
The tenth chapter of 1 Chronicles records the death of King Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. The defeat of Israel and the death of the king were the consequences of Saul's disobedience to God. The Chronicler provides the theological explanation for Saul's death: he died for his transgression against the Lord.
Saul's example teaches believers the seriousness of disobedience and the consequences of rejecting God's word. He had failed to keep the commandments of the Lord and had consulted a medium instead of seeking God. The lesson for believers is to trust and obey God. The apostle Paul writes: Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it (Hebrews 4:1).
The death of Saul also demonstrates the sovereignty of God. Despite Saul's failure, God's purposes were accomplished. The kingdom was transferred to David, who was a man after God's own heart. The lesson for believers is to trust in God's sovereignty and to seek His guidance in all circumstances. The chapter calls believers to obey God's word, to humble themselves before Him, and to find their hope in Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Saul die according to 1 Chronicles 10?
Saul died because of his transgression against the Lord. He had disobeyed the word of the Lord and had not kept His commandments. Saul had also consulted a medium at Endor instead of seeking the Lord. The Chronicler states that Saul died for his transgression and for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit. The death of Saul was a divine judgment for his disobedience.
2. What was the significance of Saul consulting a medium?
Saul's consultation of the medium was a violation of the law of Moses. The law prohibited divination and the consultation of mediums (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Saul's act was a rejection of the word of God and a turning to pagan practices. The consultation of the medium was the final act of rebellion that sealed Saul's judgment.
3. How did the Philistines treat Saul's body after his death?
The Philistines stripped Saul's body and took his head and armor as trophies of their victory. They put his armor in the house of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. The act was a desecration of the king of Israel and a blasphemy against the God of Israel. However, the men of Jabesh-gilead retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons and gave them a proper burial.
4. Why did the men of Jabesh-gilead retrieve Saul's body?
The men of Jabesh-gilead retrieved Saul's body because they remembered his kindness to them. Saul had rescued them from the Ammonites early in his reign (1 Samuel 11). The people of Jabesh-gilead showed their gratitude by risking their lives to give Saul and his sons a proper burial. The act demonstrated that Saul was still honored by some despite his failures.
5. How does the death of Saul point forward to Jesus Christ?
The death of Saul points forward to the judgment that awaits all who reject God. Yet the grace of God is available to all who repent and believe. The transfer of the kingdom to David points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who would establish an everlasting kingdom. The death of Saul is a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the hope of redemption through Christ.
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