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MAY 14
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alike.” So it was, from that day forward; he and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, his
made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to armorbearer, and all his men died together
this day. that same day.
26 Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent 7 And when the men of Israel who were on
some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his the other side of the valley, and those who were
friends, saying, “Here is a present for you on the other side of the Jordan, saw that the
from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD”— men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his
27 to those who were in Bethel, those who were in sons were dead, they forsook the cities and
Ramoth of the South, those who were in Jattir, fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in
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28 those who were in Aroer, those who were in them. So it happened the next day, when the
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Siphmoth, those who were in Eshtemoa, those Philistines came to strip the slain, that they
who were in Rachal, those who were in the found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount
cities of the Jerahmeelites, those who were in the Gilboa. And they cut off his head and stripped
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cities of the Kenites, those who were in off his armor, and sent word throughout the
Hormah, those who were in Chorashan, those land of the Philistines, to proclaim it in the
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who were in Athach, those who were in Hebron, temple of their idols and among the people.
and to all the places where David himself and 10 Then they put his armor in the temple of the
his men were accustomed to rove. Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the
Now the Philistines fought against wall of Beth Shan.
31 Israel; and the men of Israel fled from 11 Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh
before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to
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Gilboa. Then the Philistines followed hard Saul, all the valiant men arose and traveled
after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines all night, and took the body of Saul and the
killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan;
3
Saul’s sons. The battle became fierce against and they came to Jabesh and burned them
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Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severe- there. Then they took their bones and buried
ly wounded by the archers. them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and
4 Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw fasted seven days.
your sword, and thrust me through with it, Psalm 61:5–8
lest these uncircumcised men come and
thrust me through and abuse me.” 5 For You, O God, have heard
But his armorbearer would not, for he was my vows;
greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword You have given me the heritage of
5
and fell on it. And when his armorbearer saw those who fear Your name.
that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, 6 You will prolong the king’s life,
His years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God forever.
Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which
may preserve him!
31:4 uncircumcised men. A common term of
derision used among Israelites to designate 8 So I will sing praise to Your name
non-Israelites. Circumcision was given as the forever,
sign of the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis That I may daily perform my vows.
17:10–14. abuse. Having engaged in several
battles against the Philistines, Saul had suc-
ceeded in provoking their hatred and resent-
ment. As the king, Saul would certainly have 61:7 forever.The Davidic Covenant guaranteed
received especially cruel treatment from the that on the basis of God’s merciful and faithful
hands of his enemies, who would have likely dealings with David and the nation, David’s
made sport of him and tortured him before descendants would rule on the throne of Israel
his death. Saul took a sword and fell on it. forever (2 Sam.7;Pss.40:11;89:4,33–37).
Though Saul’s suicide is considered by some
to be an act of heroism, Saul should have
found his strength and courage in God as
David did in 23:16 and 30:6 to fight to the end Proverbs 16:7–9
or to surrender. Saul’s suicide is the ultimate 7 When a man’s ways please
expression of his faithlessness toward God at the LORD,
this moment in his life. He makes even his enemies
to be at peace with him.

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