The Sure Word of the Lord

So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day. 1^st Samuel 31:6 (NIV)

We began our journey in the book of 1st Samuel in October of last year and as it concludes we find Saul, after being grievously wounded by the Philistines, commits suicide rather than to face the humiliation of capture and torture. As God foretold through the prophet Samuel, Saul’s kingdom perished with him and his family line. The Philistines beheaded Saul’s corpse and attached his body to the wall of the city of Beth Shan as a grizzly trophy of war (31:8-10). God’s word was a long time coming to fulfillment but it, as always, surely was fulfilled.

God says through His prophets He will be true to His word and the Apostle Paul says that whoever sows to the flesh will reap its damages (Numbers 23:19, Galatians 6:8). Saul had many years to do the right thing yet stubbornly followed his own designs.

In the previous year David and his men had lived with the Philistines to escape Saul’s wrath. He and his men had fought with the Philistines against their enemies and David gained the trust and affection of their king, Achish. (1^st Sam. 29:9). Yet, the Hebrew band was rejected by the Philistine commanders to fight with them against Israel for fear they would take up the side of their countrymen against them.

Achish reluctantly sent them back to the city of Ziklag where David and his men dwelt with their families. When they arrived, they found the Amalekites had burned their city and taken their families and herds alive. They wept until no more tears could be shed. When their grief was exhausted the men in their bitterness over the losses of their families began talking of putting David to death. This greatly distressed him, yet in all that was transpiring David found strength in the LORD his God (1^st Sam 30:6).

David inquired of the LORD if they should go after the Amalekites and God said go and they would be victorious. David and his band pursued and overcame them, safely retrieving their families and all their possessions.

This was a propitious beginning for an imperfect king who was wholly committed to the God of complete perfection. David would make some huge and costly errors as king yet would always repent and fall on the mercies and forgiveness of his loving and trustworthy God. He had yet to be crowned king over all the nation, but that would come. He would rule for 40 years, in Hebron for 7 years, and over the nation of Israel for 33, dying at the age of 70. He would lead the nation into its Golden Age, being given by God the eternal throne of the Messiah, in the ultimate fulfillment of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-37).

Of all the lessons I have been most aware of through my study of 1st Samuel is trust in God’s faithfulness. Hannah trusted Him for a son, then trusted him to His care. Samuel trusted the LORD from childhood to old age, Israel trusted God through Samuel’s leadership. David trusted Him through 15-20 years of uncertainty after being anointed as king.

The Lord says of Himself “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all I please’” (Isaiah 46:10).  Because He is holy, all He does is perfect. If what He accomplishes is in days or years His perfection and dependability are sure and what He does is done right and for our highest good.

Peace for me is defined in trust in the character and integrity of Christ Jesus. He meets us in the tabernacle as He did Hannah or the midnight darkness of an Engedi cave as He did David. He is faithful and full of grace and truth. In the darkness of your Engedi experience He is being faithful in His word to you and will perform it as it pleases Him.

Hold fast to Him and be patient as you wait. He is answering you even now. All those in the narrative of 1^st Samuel that waited in faith found God was faithful to work for their good and His ultimate glory. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psalm 27:14).

Ken