STS Youth Lesson 227 – The Tragic Death of Saul

Text: 1 Samuel 31:1-13

King Saul fell out of favour with God when he disobeyed the instructions concerning the Amalekites. God showed him His displeasure. Though he had ample opportunities to repent, he did not. Instead, he sought to hold the kingdom permanently to himself and his posterity. Knowing that David had been chosen by God in his stead, he made ceaseless efforts to eliminate him. In two of his attempts, God delivered Saul into David’s hands. However, David did not kill him because he feared God. God’s warning to sinning youths and backsliders is clear from His word. They should not misuse opportunities. They should learn from the tragic end of Saul and repent without delay.

There was war again between Israel and the Philistines. The spiritual state of Saul and the entire nation was displeasing to God. Because the anger of God was upon them, they could not stand before their enemies. Except sinners and backsliders seek mercy and forgiveness from God, they will be exposed to danger. The war went sore against Israel. Saul sustained a wound from the Philistines’ arrow. He requested his armourbearer to kill him but the man declined. Therefore, Saul fell on his sword and died. What a tragic end! Saul’s end reminds us that “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1). It is dangerous for anyone to reject warning from the Lord.

1. The Defeat of the Israelites

References: 1 Samuel 31:1-5; Deuteronomy 32:29; Proverbs 29:1; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:12

“Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa” (1 Samuel 31:1). One would have thought that after the defeat of the Philistines by David (1 Samuel 17), they would not come again in battle with Israel. But with the passage of time, the Philistines gathered momentum and came out forcefully against the Israelites.

Question 1: What is the significance of the reinforcement of the Philistines against Israel to Christian youths?

The unending battle between the Philistines and Israel is a reflection of the battle between Satan and believers. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Unfortunately, there are Christian youths who are ignorant or careless about this. Satan and his hosts are restless in the battle against youths and are not giving up. They always come together in their dark places to re-strategize. The unwise believer rejoices and boasts of the victory experienced over one temptation while the devil renews his plan and seeks a better way to conquer him. A believer is supposed to “work out his own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) instead of relaxing. The battle is fiercer each passing day. It is not yet time to rest.

“And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers” (1 Samuel 31:2,3). Satan fights both young and old believers. He has no respect for age, gender, race, past experiences of victory, or the number of years spent in the Kingdom. He goes hard daily against everyone. All we need to do is be on our guard.

Question 2: What should believing youths do so as not to experience defeat?

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Many believers do not properly understand, rightly interpret, and apply this verse of the Scriptures. It is a warning to those who are strong in the faith today to take heed. We are dealing with experienced foes that succeeded in pulling some people like Judas Iscariot and Demas into hell. The admonition is: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). We should be watchful, prayerful, attend weekly meetings, read the Bible, and preach the word of God daily so as not to fall. Victory is sure if you consistently do these.

2. The Death of Saul

References: 1 Samuel 31:6-10; Proverbs 14:34; 2 Samuel 12:14; Numbers 23:10

“So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together” (1 Samuel 31:6). King Saul did not only die in battle; he was shamefully disgraced. The Philistines, having noticed that Israel was defeated, went back to their homes. They came back the next day to take the spoils of war. “And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa” (verse 8). They cut off the head of Saul and took his armour and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, publicising it in the house of their gods. “And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan” (verse 10). This was a great reproach to Saul and Israel.

Question 3: What happens when a saved youth goes back into sin?

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). When a believer goes into sin, such a person becomes dead spiritually. He becomes alienated from the body of Christ until he repents. What happened in the land of the Philistines is a reflection of what happens when a believer backslides. It grieves the heart of God and Christ. Sin is always a reproach on the one who commits it. It brings shame to the backslider and sometimes opens an avenue for the enemies to blaspheme God.

Saul was shamefully treated by the Philistines. His head was cut off and his body fastened to the wall of Bethshan to rot. God, in warning Israel against backsliding, had stated: “The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me” (Deuteronomy 28:20). Therefore, our prayer should be: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10). Every youth should be vigilant and watchful against backsliding.

3. The Deeds of the Men of Jabeshgilead Towards Saul

References: 1 Samuel 31:11-13; 2 Samuel 1:17-27; 1 Corinthians 13:4-6; Ephesians 4:32

“And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there” (verses 11,12). Warriors from Jabeshgilead rose up to take away the reproach from Israel. They went at night and removed the bodies of Saul and his three sons from Bethshan and carried them to Jabesh.

Question 4: Why did the men of Jabeshgilead decide to remove the dead bodies of Saul and his sons by night?

Those who took the bodies of Saul and his sons were accounted as valiant men. They were experienced men of war, but they decided to carry out this assignment by night. This is wisdom. They realised that attempting this assignment during the day would be risky. Saved youths should learn from them. They must be very discreet when attempting to carry out some assignments. They should think carefully in choosing the most convenient time to do so. For instance, night time could be the most conducive time to read their books and prepare thoroughly for examinations, because of the various distractions available during the day. If you are not the type who likes reading at night, you could still search out a quiet place or a library to study during the day.

Despite the backsliding and shameful end of Saul, these valiant men honoured him at death. This deed of kindness was later commended by David when he became king of Israel: “And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness” (2 Samuel 2:5,6).

Question 5: Why was the action of the valiant men commendable?

Considering the fallen state of Saul and the effect it had on the entire nation, some contemporary believers would condemn and despise him without examining their own lives to avoid suffering a similar fate. Even when careless and prayerless believers fall into sin, genuine believers do not gossip or rejoice over them. It is supposed to be a time of secret prayer for mercy, forgiveness, and restoration. If Christ were to be around, He would have left the ninety and nine sheep and gone for the lost one. Are we like Christ today? These men attracted commendation because they were not looking at the deeds of Saul but the glory of God. They did not want God’s name to be blasphemed. If we have this spirit, we will know how to handle every challenging situation in our lives and in the church.

Related Lessons

• STS Adult Lesson 227 – The Tragic Death of Saul
• STS Lesson 226 – David’s Victory Over the Amalekites (Youth)
• Version française – Leçon 227 : La Mort Tragique de Saül
• French Lesson 228 – David Mourns the Death of Saul and Jonathan