1 Samuel 28, 31 | How Will Your Story End?

How do you summarize a man’s life? As the history books tell the story of your life, what will they say?

A LIFE OF DISOBEDIENCE

… could be the title of history’s chapter about Saul. From the very first of his reign, his life was filled with disobedience. Sometimes subtle and sometimes overt, he would nod his head at God and Samuel, God’s prophet, and then do what he wanted to do.

God saw what was in Saul’s heart and chose another; a young shepherd boy named David. Saul tried to eliminate David, but it was just a matter of time until David would rule, for God would see to it.

HIS ENDING

… was as tragic as his life. God had departed from him, so Saul was routed before his enemies.

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. (1 Samuel 31:4)

It came about on the next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons, and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. They put his weapons in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. (1 Samuel 31:8-10)

The most tragic truth about Saul was that he could have had a different story. But a life of rebellion against God’s authority and leadership never ends well.

Father, deliver me from disobedience. Remind me that I can have a great legacy if I will relentlessly follow You. Show me the “little foxes that spoil the vines” in my life. Help me repent regularly and pray without ceasing. And thank You for the privilege of following You!