1 Samuel 31:1-6

Judgment at last.

The facts are—

1 . In the battle at Gilboa the men of Israel suffer a defeat from the Philistines.

2 . His sons being slain, the conflict presses hard on Saul.

3 . Dreading to fall by the hand of a Philistine, and failing to find death through the hand of his armour bearer, he falls on his own sword, his example being followed by his armour bearer. Here we have the closing scene in the tragedy of Saul's life, verifying the prediction of Samuel. Our heart mourns over an end so sad, and as we read the narrative we are sensible of a strange pity for this once promising but now ruined man. Notice—

I. THE PRESSURE OF EVENTS WORKING OUT A RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT . Connecting this defeat and death of Saul with the early prediction of Samuel ( 1 Samuel 15:23 , 1 Samuel 15:28 , 1 Samuel 15:29 ) and the recent solemn declaration in the cave at Endor ( 1 Samuel 28:16-20 ), we see how, as by an unseen hand, Saul was urged on to his doom. For instead of making terms with the enemy, or fleeing from the scene of conflict, he, knowing his doom, drew up his men, pressed on to the thickest battle, became a conspicuous mark for archers, and drew around himself and heirs to the throne the fiercest of the assault. We cannot but observe how the Philistine force was unrestrained by the power which checked Pharaoh s army at the Red Sea, weakened Amalek when the hands of Moses were raised ( Exodus 17:11-13 ), inspired terror in the army opposed to Jonathan ( 1 Samuel 14:15-23 ), and generally put fear in the hearts of Israel's foes. Samuel's words make clear to us that Providence was leaving Saul to the impulses which led him to death, and withholding from the Philistines all that would otherwise have impeded their way to victory. It is a fearful thing thus to fall into the hands of the living God. The truth brought out here is, that though judgment is often for unrevealed reasons long deferred, yet events are so disposed as to concentrate irresistibly on the enforcement of the penalty of sin. Men pursue a crooked and unholy course for years, during which time justice seems to linger; but the time comes on when, as by infatuation, they go straight into the concurrences of events which Providence has permitted for their downfall. So also fell Babylon, Rome, and other nations, made drunk with the wine of the wrath of God ( Isaiah 63:6 ). So likewise, under the pressure of Providence, will the sea give up its dead, and all that are in their graves come forth, to receive according to the deeds done in the body ( John 5:28 , John 5:29 ; 2 Corinthians 5:10 ; Revelation 20:13 ).

II. THE SINS OF PARENTS CUT OFF THE HOPES OF SONS . We feel deep sympathy with Jonathan that he, the brightest and best of Israel's manhood, should perish in the calamity brought on by his father's persistent impenitence. Brave, gallant son, knowing and lamenting the failings of his parent, and the woes his conduct was bringing on the kingdom, with true filial piety he stands by him and the kingdom to the end! It was better to die, if so God willed it, than to live and share in the joys of even a David's friendship. The fond hopes of seeing David enthroned over a happy and prosperous people after his father's natural decease ( 1 Samuel 20:12-17 ; 1 Samuel 23:16-18 ) were rudely blighted. It is the old sad story of the sin of one bringing sorrow and suffering to many innocent. The fearful havoc made by sin! The awful responsibility of our conduct! Millions die before their proper time, and a wail of woe rises daily from myriads of hearts because of the transgression of parents.

III. A SAD END OF LIFE IN KEEPING WITH ITS ORDINARY COURSE . There is a singular blending of diverse thought and motive in the last utterances and acts of Saul. He knew his doom was at hand; and yet, partly under a sense of utter wretchedness which made him willing to die, and partly from the patriotic feeling that his unwillingness to face his country's foe should not be added to his crimes, he goes forth to battle. Then, also, when pressed in battle and in great straits, was there not a sense of misery, a consciousness of Divine abandonment, which made the continuance of life a burden no longer to be endured, blended with the thought precious to the Hebrew, that he was one of the chosen race, allied by nationality with the great Messianic purpose, and that, as such, it must never be said that Israel's king was abused by the touch of the "uncircumcised" alien? In this commingling of light and darkness, moral quickenings and mad infatuation, we have an analogue to his conduct all through his sad career. It is not for us to say whether there was not in those last sad moments, as he lay on the earth, a melting of that heart which had so long striven against God. As in many other instances, there is no light thrown on the inner experience of the soul in its most sacred relations to God. The case of the thief on the cross may suggest the possibility of a cry from the heart to which the mercy that endureth forever responds. But it is for us to stand in awe, and take to ourselves the solemn lesson of this sad and perverted life.

IV. A QUESTION AS TO THE MORAL CHARACTER OF SUICIDE . Willet, in his 'Harmonie upon the first Booke of Samuel,' quotes authorities pro and con on the general question and on Saul's act; but without entering on a wide subject, it may suffice to note that moral cowardice is ordinarily the cause of suicide, and that it is a violation of the prerogatives of God. As we have indicated, there may have been considerations of a semi-religious character which influenced Saul in desiring not to be slain by the "uncircumcised," and to him it was certain that death was at hand. Nevertheless, no private feeling, no relief from dishonour, can justify a forestalling, in the matter of life and death, of the course of Providence. The principle involved is most vital, and when once the door for its violation is opened, the whole fabric of society is sapped at its foundation.

General lessons : —

1 . It is instructive to contrast the beginning and end of lives, and note how by the action of a deceitful heart the fatal turn is taken toward disgrace and despair.

2 . Although some parents ruin their sons by their sins, yet we all do them wrong and damage in so far as sin taints our life.

3 . Although God cuts off the hopes of the good by the calamities which come through the sins of others, yet in his mercy he raises them to a purer and safer joy.

4 . Whatever judgments God brings should be submitted to with resignation.