Articles
A Family Tragedy
The book of First Chronicles begins with the genealogies of the people of Israel. The family lines of those who returned from exile are recorded. If we read it, we skim through it. It should be read because of some important lessons recorded there. One family's tragic history is recorded in chapter 10.
King Saul was the first king of Israel. His last day was spent fighting the Philistines. Israel lost, and Saul died in battle. The chronicler records, “Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together.” (1 Chron. 10:6 ESV) The loss was devastating for Israel. The king and his successors died, and Israel lost the Jezreel Valley. In triumph, the Philistines occupied the valley, cut off Saul's head, and displayed it in the temple of their idol, Dagon. Brave warriors retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons and buried them in Jabesh-Gilead. Israel's future looked bleak. Why did God allow such a tragedy to occur in Israel?
King Saul is responsible for the nation's defeat and his sons' deaths. The chronicler records: “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.” (1 Chron. 10:13-14 ESV)
King Saul died for his "breach of faith." What is a breach of faith? The record does not leave us to guess. King Saul died for two reasons: He did not keep God's commands and did not seek guidance from the Lord.
Saul's first sin was failing to obey God's commands. In 1 Samuel 13, we read that Saul usurped the priest's responsibilities. Saul wanted God's help in defeating the Philistines. He was unwilling to wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifice before battle. He offered the sacrifice because he was afraid and the army was deserting. The prophet Samuel confronted him. “And Samuel said to Saul, “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.” (1 Sam. 13:13 ESV) As a result, God would give the kingship to another man. Saul sinned again when he did not kill the Amalekite king and destroy all the livestock of that country. Samuel informed King Saul, “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Sam. 15:23 ESV) Saul lost the kingship because of his disobedience.
Saul wanted God to help him against the Philistines, but his refusal to repent and return to the Lord with his whole heart separated him from God. God would not answer him. Saul sought the spirit of Samuel. To do so, he went to a medium (cf. 1 Sam. 28). God allowed the medium to call up Samuel's spirit to deliver a message to Saul. “And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Sam. 28:16-19 ESV)
Saul's sins and refusal to follow the Lord destroyed his house. Because of his arrogance, his sons lost their inheritance and lives. What are we as parents doing that could destroy our families? What kind of legacy are we leaving for our children? Let us commit ourselves to the Lord. The spiritual and physical well-being of our children depend upon it.
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isa. 55:6-7 ESV)
