Year 7, Day 317: 1 Samuel 31

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Today we finish the book of 1 Samuel.  I’ve found it odd that the book is called 1 Samuel, but Samuel is clearly dead prior to the end of the book.  Furthermore, the book ends with Saul’s death.  2 Samuel actually has nothing to do with Samuel, but with David as king!  There isn’t really anything theological in that chapter, just an interesting thought.

Regarding the death of Saul, there are a few things to note.  First of all, notice that Saul takes his own life.  While this is technically a suicide, I’m not entirely sure that it is equal to other types of suicides.  Saul takes his own life because his death is imminent.  He is going to be captured – maybe killed – at the hands of the Philistines.  Saul knows that if he kills himself, he can choose how painful and how long his death takes.  The Philistines might drag it out for hours, days, weeks, and maybe even years.  Saul takes his life to avoid the worst of the possibilities.

That being said, Saul still takes his life.  In that choice, Saul wrestles control out of God’s hands.  It could be that God would use the moment to teach Saul a lesson.  It could be that God could rescue Saul from the Philistines at a later date.  It could be that God has rejected Saul so much that God allows Saul to suffer and die.  The point is, we’ll never know because Saul takes his own life.  Saul doesn’t give God an opportunity to show His righteousness or His mercy.

Finally, we can tell from this story that God’s Word is true.  God promises Saul that none of his offspring will be upon the throne.  That promise is lived out in this battle.  In one moment, Saul and his sons are gone.  The only thing of Saul’s that remains now is Michal, David’s wife.  The door is now open for God to move as He places David on the throne.

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