Today’s passage: 1 Chronicles 10:1-14
Helpful thoughts:
- Saul didn’t want the Philistines to get the credit for killing him, so he killed himself. Ultimately, he didn’t have the control over his own life he wanted. His death was the Lord’s judgment.
- The Philistines had to send messengers throughout their territory to let their idols know that Saul had died. Their gods needed messengers. The one true God is all-knowing and everywhere-present.
- Saul chose not to obey the Lord, and then when the Lord would not give him what he wanted, he turned to paganism.
- The Lord is sovereign. He does not answer to us. He alone is worthy of our praise, adoration and obedience.
Questions to consider:
- As a “chronicle” of the reign of King Saul, what does this short chapter convey about Israel’s first king? What is the major takeaway from this short chapter? Israel wanted a king just like all the other nations, how did that go?
- What is the great irony of the Philistines sending messengers to their idols? The Philistines would have given credit or thanked their fake idols for this victory, but who was in complete control?
- When Saul chose to disobey God, or when Saul was dissatisfied with God’s choices and went to a medium, who was Saul demanding God serve? Who was the true king of Saul’s life and how is this answer truly at the root of our choices to sin? How can this reality give us an even greater appreciation for God’s grace in giving us Christ for our salvation?