Chapter 66—Saul Takes His Own Life
This chapter is based on
1 Samuel 28
;
31
.
“The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and
pitched in Shunem,” while Saul and his forces encamped but a few
miles distant at the foot of Mount Gilboa. Saul felt alone and defense-
less, because God had forsaken him. As he looked abroad upon the
Philistine host, “he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.”
Saul had expected that the son of Jesse would take this opportu-
nity to revenge the wrongs he had suffered. The king was in sore
distress. His own unreasoning passion to destroy the chosen of God
had involved the nation in great peril. While pursuing David, he had
neglected the defense of his kingdom. The Philistines, taking advan-
tage of its unguarded condition, had penetrated into the very heart
of the country. While Satan had been urging Saul to destroy David,
the same malignant spirit inspired the Philistines to work Saul’s ruin.
How often the archenemy moves upon some unconsecrated heart to
kindle strife in the church, and then, taking advantage of the divided
condition of God’s people, he stirs up his agents to work their ruin.
On the morrow Saul must engage the Philistines in battle. Shadows
of impending doom gathered dark about him. He longed for guidance;
in vain he sought counsel from God. “The Lord answered him not,
neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.”
The Lord never turned away a soul that came to Him in sincerity.
Why did He turn Saul away unanswered? The king had rejected the
[491]
counsel of Samuel the prophet; he had exiled David, the chosen of
God; he had slain the priests of the Lord. Could he be answered
when he had cut off the channels of communication that Heaven had
ordained? It was not pardon for sin and reconciliation with God that
Saul sought, but deliverance from his foes. By rebellion he had cut
himself off from God. There could be no return but by penitence and
contrition.
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