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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 3 November 2025:
1 Chronicles 10:1-2 — Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
The death of Saul and his sons marked the tragic end of a reign that began with such promise but was consumed by pride and disobedience. Israel’s army fled before their enemies because their king had long since fled from obedience to God. The loss of Jonathan, a noble and faithful man, underscores that the consequences of sin and failed leadership often extend far beyond the one who commits them. Saul’s failure cost not only his life but also the lives of those who had stood loyally beside him. This passage reminds us that leadership is a sacred stewardship; when a leader strays from God, those under his care suffer as well. Scripture affirms that “when the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).
1 Chronicles 10:3-6 — The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died. Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together.
The end of Saul’s life was as tragic as his reign. Once anointed by God, he now died by his own hand, alone, defeated, and dishonored. His fear of his enemies outweighed his fear of the Lord. Saul’s death by suicide is a sober reminder of where rebellion and pride ultimately lead: self-destruction. His armor-bearer’s imitation of his act shows how easily others follow the example of fallen leadership. The man who was chosen to deliver Israel from the Philistines (1 Samuel 9:16) instead dies at their hands. The one who began in humility — hiding among the baggage when first called to be king (1 Samuel 10:22) — ended in despair and disgrace. Scripture warns that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Saul and Judas had this in common — they both rejected the Lordship of God in their lives and destroyed themselves in defeat.
1 Chronicles 10:6 — Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together.
1 Chronicles 9 describes fathers who raised their sons to serve God faithfully, while 1 Chronicles 10 reveals that Saul’s ungodly leadership led to his death and the death of his sons. To reiterate, how you respond to God can have a wonderful or devastating effect on not only you, but also upon your whole family and others you care about.
1 Chronicles 10:7-10 — And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. Then the Philistines came and lived in them. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. And they put his armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
The victory of the Philistines was not merely a military triumph but a spiritual humiliation for Israel. The enemies of God rejoiced, attributing their success to their false gods, proclaiming Saul’s defeat as evidence of Dagon’s supremacy. What should have been a nation’s testimony to Yahweh’s glory became a moment of idolatrous celebration. When God’s people compromise and turn from Him, His name is dishonored among the nations. Paul later warned believers in Romans 2:24, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Saul’s failure not only destroyed him but brought reproach upon the name of the Lord he was meant to represent.
1 Chronicles 10:9 – …the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people.
The world’s “good news” is the defeat of God’s people. Our Good News, is that Christ is King, rules all, and offers salvation to all who are willing to accept it. Note that Saul and the kingdom was defeated not because of the might of the Philistines but, rather, because of the sins of God’s people. The Church can only be defeated in infidelity.
1 Chronicles 10:11-12 — But when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.
The men of Jabesh-gilead demonstrated noble loyalty and courage. Years earlier, Saul had delivered them from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-11), and now, though he had fallen from grace, they honored him in death. Their reverent act stands as a final light of honor amid the darkness of defeat. Even when a leader falls, honoring the good that was done does not excuse the evil but affirms that righteousness and gratitude still live among God’s people. Their mourning reflected both respect for Saul’s early faithfulness and sorrow for his tragic decline.
1 Chronicles 10:12 — …all the valiant men arose…
The valiant continue to resist the sinful world for God’s glory even when it seems like all has been lost. Are you valiant for the Lord today?
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 — So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
Here the chronicler gives the divine verdict on Saul’s life. His failure was not merely political or personal, it was spiritual. “He broke faith with the Lord.” Saul’s downfall was not due to one act of disobedience but to a life of rebellion and self-reliance. He sought the counsel of the dead instead of the living God. In contrast, David, the man after God’s own heart, would inquire of the Lord continually (1 Samuel 23:2; 2 Samuel 2:1). The contrast between Saul and David is a timeless lesson on leadership and faith. Those who seek God’s wisdom walk in life; those who rely on themselves walk toward death. Proverbs 3:5-7 exhorts, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding…. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Saul’s life is a solemn warning that giftedness and position cannot compensate for disobedience and pride. God values a heart that trusts and trembles before Him more than outward strength or worldly success.
The tragic life of Saul provides to those called by God an important lesson on remaining faithful to their calling and walking in continual fidelity to God.
Saul was miraculously called by God from humble beginnings to serve God mightily — “When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, ‘Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.’ (1 Samuel 9:17) Saul answered, ‘Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?’” (1 Samuel 9:21) God called Saul not to show what a great person could do but rather to what a Great God can do through a humble servant. This calling was for God’s glory, not Saul’s, and Saul was just as surprised as anyone else that God chose Him.
God empowered Samuel to do great works for His glory – “God gave him another heart…. the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them…. And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul.” (1 Samuel 10:9-10; 11:6)
God equipped Saul to great works for His glory, providing him with Samuel as a Spiritual advisor, giving him the support of his people, and providing Saul with 3,000 capable warriors – “Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” (1 Samuel 11:15)
However, under pressure, Saul gave in to fear and pride; he trusted in his own judgment rather than God, and He disobeyed God’s commands for sake of expediency rather than waiting upon the Lord – “Samuel said, ‘What have you done? … You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13:11-14)
Rather than repenting of his sin, Saul fell further out of fellowship with the Lord and turned to others (such as the medium) for answers rather than to God, “So Saul died for his breach of faith.”
God has miraculously called us all out from humble beginnings and has given us the Great Commandment (Luke 10:27) and Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). He has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ. He has given us the example of Jesus, and He has empowered us with His word, His power and authority, His Holy Spirit and has thoroughly equipped us for the good works He has prepared in advance for us. Now, will we prove faithful to our calling? “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.”
– 2 Peter 1:3-11 — His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord…. He did not seek guidance from the Lord.” Learn from Saul’s tragic mistakes: Keep God’s commands, seek His guidance in Prayer and Bible study, and follow Christ alone. Fulfill your calling in the Lord – Know Him and make Him known. Faith trusts God today, and hope trusts God with the future. Be led by the Spirit, not by the flesh or the world. Pray continually, listen intently, and obey God in the moment, one day at a time – step by step; and seek the Lord’s guidance for the future, rather than other sources of ‘knowledge,’ of which there are many. Wait upon the Lord. When you fail, and you will, draw nearer to the Lord in humble repentance, not further away — “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) — 3 November 2025: Saul’s story is a warning to every believer about the danger of drifting from dependence on God. He began humbly but ended self-reliant, seeking counsel from darkness rather than light. The call of today’s passage is clear — seek God daily continually. Never let your spiritual life become mechanical or self-sufficient. Faithfulness is not measured by how well we start, but by how steadfastly we finish. Let Saul’s failure drive us to deeper humility and obedience. As Hebrews 3:12-13 warns, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” Each day, listen for the Spirit’s voice, and be quick to obey. True victory is not found in worldly success, but in unwavering faith and dependence on the Lord.
Pray: “Father, thank You for the lessons found in Saul’s life — a reminder that pride, fear, and self-reliance lead only to ruin, but humble obedience brings life and peace. Guard my heart from drifting from You, Lord. Teach me to seek Your counsel in all things and to walk in step with Your Spirit. May I not lean on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge You, trusting You to make my paths straight. Keep me faithful to the end, that my life might glorify Your name and point others toward Your mercy and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 