Thursday, October 8, 2015

I Samuel 31: End Of An Era

It's the end of an era in ancient Israel.
I Samuel 31 describes how the House of Saul is nearly wiped out in a single day on Mount Gilboa.  The nation's history is forever altered by the Philistine's smashing victory over the Israelites.  Saul and three of his sons - Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua - are killed in battle.  (Saul actually commits suicide after being mortally wounded by archers to avoid falling into enemy hands.)  

The Philistines rejoice in their victory over the king of Israel and his forces, cutting off Saul's head as a trophy, stripping off his armor, and fastening his body and the bodies of his sons to a wall at Beth-shan.  Brave men from the city of Jabesh-gilead travel all night to reclaim the bodies and give them a proper burial.  As Israel weeps, the Philistines celebrate.

Ironically, however, while the Philistines may have won this battle, their actions lead to their defeat in the ongoing war with Israel.  As the opening chapters of II Samuel show us, the death of the king causes a breach in Israel between the heirs of Saul and the forces of David.  In the end, a new king will assume the throne over a strong, united nation.  By abruptly ending the era of Saul, Israel's enemies inaugurate the era of David, God's anointed, and the fortunes of the Philistines and the Israelites will soon be starkly reversed!

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