No Hope

On one level this is just an ordinary account of the end of the life of a king. It was very common for kings facing capture to take their own lives in the ancient world rather than face the humiliation and torture they would be subject to when they were captured. However, on another level, Saul was once God's anointed king, the chosen defender, and the leader of His people.

Saul's reign has been filled with fear and insecurity as he fails to put his trust in God. His final moments are the culmination of everything that has come before. He had wanted to rule Israel his own way, in his own strength. This is the result—facing the entire Philistine army without God on his side.

This is not just God's judgment upon Saul; this is a brutal, but honest, representation of a life lived without God. God allows Saul to do things his own way, and Saul discovers that it's not everything he thought it was. Far from a life of freedom and prosperity, Saul was constantly enslaved by anxiety, envy, and insecurity.

There is no hope; there is no way out. Once again, he takes things into his own hands and ends his own life. This act is not just an act of desperation; it shows that even after all of these things Saul wants control over his own life. If Saul had just been willing to hand control over to God, rather than ending his life in fear, insecurity, and despair, it could have ended with hope, joy, and confidence.

Though Point

Are you comfortable laying down control of your life?

Prayer Point

Ask God to grow your faith in Him to help you lay down your life in faithful obedience each day.