March 10

I Samuel 30-31

When David and his men returned home to Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had burned their town and taken the women and children captive. God’s war with the Amalekites was supposed to be over when Saul attacked them, but now the war continued through David. David’s followers were greatly distressed and were considering stoning him.

“But David found strength in the LORD.” David asked God before he reacted, and God gave him direction. After the slaughter of all but 400 of the Amalekites, we see another glimpse at David’s heart. Some of his men went into battle, but some were too tired and stayed to guard the supplies. David split the plunder evenly between those who fought and those who stayed behind. David viewed the plunder as a gift from God for all to share equally.

During the battle between the Philistines and the Israelites, the end comes for Saul – not at the hands of David, but at the hands of the Philistines in God’s timing.
I Chronicles 10:13-14 says “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”

Jonathan died during the consequences of his father’s disobedience. He and David never got to rule together in Israel. Why do you think this is so?

Saul’s life teaches us three main things:
1. God is bigger than we are. When life gets tough, we should focus on His strength and not our problems or our weaknesses. We are to obey God even when we think our way makes more sense.
2. God’s opinion is what matters. It doesn’t matter what other people think. Fear of losing popularity or power should never keep us from obeying God.
3. When we need guidance, we must go to God first. And if God is silent, we must wait and be patient. Taking matters into our own hands is not good – and is usually a path to sin.