1 Samuel

1 Samuel 31:1-6

This chapter picks up where 28 left off.  Saul had faced off with the Philistines but was greatly afraid.  That was why he sought the witch at Endor.  Samuel revealed to Saul that he and all his sons would die.  It was that next day then when the Philistines warred against them deep into Israel at Mt. Gilboa.  In the midst of battle, Saul is mortally wounded.  He tries to get his armor bearer to finish him off.  When the armor bearer wouldn't do it, Saul took his sword and fell on it.  Yet, in 2 Samuel 4:1-10, we see an Amalekite taking credit for killing Saul.  The likely explanation is that an Amalekite found Saul and took credit for killing him.  All Saul's sons die that day as well as Saul bringing about the words spoken by Samuel.

1 Samuel 31:7-13

Even in light of Saul's weak leadership he had still held this army together.  Now that he was gone everyone fled and the Philistines overran the area.  They discovered Saul, stripped him and beheaded him.  They hung his body on the wall at Beth Shan.  This city is on a hill and so Saul was displayed this way for all to see.  This was typical desicration and barbarism from the Philistines.  It was the ultimate insult against Saul and Israel.  The Philistines also wanted this great victory and the death of Saul proclaimed in the temple of their gods.  This was their way of declaring their god was greater than Saul's God or Israel's God. 

©2015 Doug Ford