Children’s Sunday School Lesson 19: The Tragic Death of Saul
Memory Verse: “So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together” (1 Samuel 31:6).
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 31:1-13
The book of First Samuel closes with the account of the tragic death of Saul, the first king of Israel. It is sad to know that though Saul started his journey well, he ended badly. Why? Because (a) He despised and rejected the commandment of God to completely destroy the Amalekites. (b) He refused to repent and seek forgiveness when he was corrected by Prophet Samuel. (c) He disobeyed repeatedly and became self-willed and wicked. (d) He fought against God’s plan to make David king over Israel. (e) He sought help from a witch.
Saul’s tragic death did not happen without warnings from God and Prophet Samuel. It was his refusal to take correction and repent from his sins and disobedience that led to his death.
You must examine yourself daily. Do not harden your heart like King Saul. Listen to the counsel of God through His word, accept corrections, and live in obedience to God’s word. Although God is gracious and merciful, He is also a consuming fire.
1. The Tragic Death of Saul
1 Samuel 31:1-7; 14:52; 15:16,23,35; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14
The children of Israel fought many battles with their neighbours when they settled in Canaan, and God was always with them. However, they refused to completely destroy these idol-worshipping nations as God commanded them. Thus, they became thorns in their flesh. Throughout the reign of King Saul, he went into battle constantly with their archenemy, the Philistines.
In this last battle, Saul became terrified when he saw the army of the Philistines. David, who could have been a great help to him at such a time, had been driven away because of Saul’s hatred and jealousy. The battle became very fierce and the children of Israel fled before their enemies. Many of them were killed, including the three sons of King Saul. An arrowhead wounded Saul badly. Fearing abuse and torture from the Philistines, Saul asked his armour bearer to kill him, but the man refused. Therefore, Saul killed himself. This was a great loss to God’s people. His armour bearer also killed himself.
However, it was God’s way of bringing judgment on a disobedient, stubborn, and wicked king. Saul’s death was tragic because it brought sorrow and distress to the whole nation of Israel.
Everyone will die at one time or the other, yet one can avoid a tragic death. God is not interested in the death of a sinner; He wants everyone to repent and be saved. If you are still a sinner, do not remain in your wicked ways. Judgment is coming. Repent now!
2. The Trustful and Courageous Act of the Men of Jabesh-Gilead
1 Samuel 31:11-13; 11:1-11; 1 Chronicles 10:11,12
After the death of Saul and his three sons, the Philistines took their bodies and hung them in the shrine of their idol. It was a way of disgracing the children of Israel and honouring their dumb idols. But there were some courageous people who stood up to defend the name of the God of Israel. These courageous and godly men were from Jabesh-gilead. They walked all night for about twelve miles and took the bodies of Saul and his sons from the house of the Philistines’ idols.
The men of Jabesh-gilead were motivated by gratitude for Saul’s previous deliverance of their city after he had been newly crowned king (1 Samuel 11:1-11). They gave Saul and his sons a respectful burial and removed the shame from Israel.
As a friend of Jesus, always stand firm. Be willing to risk your life to defend God’s glory, honour, and word. When ungodly people mock God’s word, do not join them. Remain steadfast, and God will also honour you.
3. The Tragedy of Eternal Death for Unrepentant Sinners
1 Samuel 31:6; 1 Chronicles 10:13,14; Proverbs 11:19; 29:1; Revelation 20:11-15
Death brings an end to life here on earth. It is appointed for everyone born into this world to die once, and after this, there will be judgment (Hebrews 9:27). There are many people who think that death will end their sorrow and suffering. Some even decide to take their life by committing suicide. They will realise too late that death is the beginning of sorrow for all who die in sin. People like Achan, Saul, Belshazzar, Herod, and Judas Iscariot have already realised that physical death is not the end of life. It is the beginning of eternal suffering for the wicked, because they will end up in hell fire! Therefore, sinners must make haste to repent and ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus. They must turn away from all sins and live holy every day. Believers must examine themselves daily, live in total obedience to the word of God, be holy in words, thoughts, and actions, and expect the coming of the Lord every day. At last, we shall be raptured to reign with Christ and be delivered from eternal death.
Discussion Questions
- Identify two reasons for Saul’s rejection and tragic death.
- How many of his sons died with him?
- What happened to the dead bodies of Saul and his sons?
- What did the men of Jabesh-gilead do to honour God and remove shame from Israel?
- Where will unrepentant sinners and backsliders end their journey?
- What should (a) sinners and (b) believers do to avoid eternal death?
Lesson: Obedience to God’s word leads to eternal life, while disobedience leads to eternal death.
Thought: I will seek God with all my heart and obey His commandments so as to have eternal life.
Activity: Mention two people in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament whose lives were preserved and prolonged because they were obedient to God’s word.
Homework: Write four things you must do daily to help you continue to obey God’s word till the end.
Congregational Song: GHS 205 – Have You Counted The Cost?
Choruses: (1) Eternal, eternal life. (2) Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. (3) Obedience is the very best way to show that we believe.
Bible Word Search
Find the meaning of these words using your dictionary: Eternal, Tragic, Archenemy, Terrified, Piercing.
Continue your study: Next: Lesson 20 – David Mourns the Death of Saul and Jonathan
Read in French: Leçon 19 : La Mort Tragique de Saül (version française)