READING: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10
“So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”
1 Chronicles 10:14
Saul was dead, and the writer of Chronicles understood his death in theological terms: “Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the Lord because he did not keep the Lord’s word. He even consulted a medium for guidance, but he did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse” (1 Chron. 10:13-14). The chronicler’s understanding was twofold: Saul died because he was disobedient to the Lord, but God was ultimately in control of Saul’s death. A righteous God brought judgment on a disobedient king, and the judgment was severe.
Saul was unfaithful to the Lord. He did not keep the Lord’s word. He consulted a medium rather than consult the Lord. The cost was heavy. Indeed, it was judgment and death.
There is much we can learn from this simple summary. First, our sin has consequences. We know that, but seldom do we see it stated as clearly as, “Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the Lord.” Second, God draws a line in the sand. We can sin against Him so recurrently that He calls us home in judgment; in the New Testament, it’s the step of turning someone over to Satan “for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Cor. 5:5). Third, God uses even judgment to accomplish His plan, even as He opened the door for giving the kingdom to David at the death of Saul.
Clearly, we must think about our walk with God every day and make the decision to follow Him fully.
ACTION STEPS:
- Each step of the way today, be faithful to God.
- Pray for someone you know who is living in disobedience.
PRAYER: “God, guard me. Keep me from living in disobedience.”
