Daily Spiritual Growth: Reflective Devotions

WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024

TEXT: 1 Chronicles 10:1-14

1. Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

2. Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.

3. The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was wounded by the archers.

4. Then Saul said to his armorbearers, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and abuse me.” But his armorbearers would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.

5. And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on the on his sword and died.

6. So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house and died together.

7. And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; then the Philistines came and dwell in them.

8. So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

9. And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among the people.

10. Then they put his armor in the temple of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

11. And when all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

12. all the valiant men arose and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons; and they brought them to Jabesh and buried their bones under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

13. So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.

14. But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

(New King James Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: SAUL'S UNFAITHFULNESS

Unfaithfulness unto God is a very grievous sin as it can lead to death and destruction.

Saul, his three sons and some men of Israel lost their lives in the battle with the Philistines due to his unfaithfulness to God as a leader.

Saul possessed all the physical qualities required of a leader but lacked the character that would have made him an exemplary king.

He was handsome but his sin of unfaithfulness made him weak and ugly. He was rich but he was spiritually bankrupt. Saul looked good on the outside, but as rotten inside.

Faithfulness to God and a strong character are much more valuable than an attractive exterior.

QUESTION: In what way have you been unfaithful to God?

PRAYER: O God, I repent of every act of unfaithfulness to You today, cleans and make me whole so that I can enjoy a good relationship with You, in Jesus name. Amen.