The battle between Israel and the Philistiens took place while David was pursuing Amalek, 2 Samuel 1:2. Again, God in his mercy worked it out where David did not have to reveal or carry outhis lie completely in this battle. This was the onehe was going into on the side of Achish.
I sure am glad God watches over me in my foolishness.
David did not escape the battle. Though we try, we cannot avoid the battle. David still had war with Amalek.
In this chapter, we see that the end result came to pass. The very thing Saul had worked day and night for, to establish his son Jonathan's kingdom, from the time of 1 Samuel 20:13, now comes to pass. Sall did all that was humanly possible to prevent the throne from escaping his family and passing to david.
That is, everything except humble himself before God.
How much easier is it to work 24 hours a day to prevent somethign or establish something than it is to get right with God?
Man will work day and night, and spend untold billions of dollars, as long as turnign back to God is not involved.
All Saul would have had to do here was to humble himself before the Lord, but he would rether fall on is sword than "fall" on the Lord.
Proverbs 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Exodus 20:5 – the First and Second Commandments deal with witchcraft. Bowing down, serving other gods and god promises to visit the iniquity of the fathers' upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
So, what happened here? Saul never said, "I hate God," but his actions showed he did. He refused to humble himself before God. Rebellious and stubbornness. He served the god of self instead of the Lord God.
God's people today do not come right out and say, "I hate God," though their actions show their indifference toward God and his law-word.
V. 4. The end result of Saul's rebellion from under authority. He hated authority, any authority, and especailly God's authority. He loved death. He wanted death more than he wanted the Lord. It took 38 years of misery before he found death, because he could not see the submitting to God's ordained authority.
Then we see this attitude reflected many times in the life of Saul.
1. He depended on hsi armour instead of God. (17:38.)
2. He sought man's means to establish hsi kingdom instead of God's.
(20:31)
He even used his daughter, 18:21. Of course, he used his army many times. God gave him many chances to turn, but he would not. Chapter 31 is his end result.
1 Samuel 31 presents the ungodly, wicked man. Proverbs 31 presents the godly woman.
V. 6, so Saul died...
V. 7. The Philistines cane and dwelt in them... The world's crowd came and took possession of what belonged to God's people. Why? God's people rebelled against, or ignored, God's law. Deuteronomy 28:1-10.
Notice something else here. V. 4, Saul thinks the Philistines are hot on his heals. Sounds like they are right behind the trees or over the hill, but notice v. 8. They did not get to him untill the next day. Saul could have easily escaped, but the wicked flee when no man pursueth, and Saul was so fearful, he killed himself.
V. 9. The wicked though it was their false god that gave the victory when actually it was God's judemtne upon his people.
The same today. The ungodly believe theyy are winning out over God's people because of their beliefs and reasonability, when actually it is God's judgment upon his people. Heand he aloen raises up kings and rulers, and puts them down. He raises the ungodly up regardless of what false gods they trust in. They are raised up to accomplish his purpose.
The ungodly Philistines here thought their god, Ashtaroth, had given victory over the Lord God of Israel, but God only sued them to judge Saul and his house for their refusal to submit to his authority. God gave the possessions of hsi people to them.
I am afraid we do not really understand the importance which God places on proper attitude toward Godly authority. Even authority that might not be right with God.
Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
V. 12. What a sad way for a mighty man of God to end up. 2 Samuel 1:17-27.
But this is the end result of pride. Proverbs 28:13, 14. Pride leads to shame, and Saul in hi slife could not have had more pride, and his death could not have had more shame. Proverbs 11:2, 16:18, 29:23.
What a tragic end to something that could have been so good if only he had laid aside his pride.
The book opens with a young man called to serve God, and submitting to that call. It ends with an old man in total rebellion against God.
Suicide is the final, total rebellion against God. "God, I will decide when and how I die." Man cannot control his birth, but he thinks he can his death.
No doubt this is why suicide is so prevalent today. A society that omits God is a society of suicide, self-destruction.
A life apart from total obedience to a total, sovereign God is one of suicide, which cannot be avoided any more than Saul could avoid it.