RPG Adults
THE PHILISTINES GAINED VICTORY OVER ISRAEL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
1 Samuel 31
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
“But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
THE PHILISTINES GAINED VICTORY OVER ISRAEL
It was appointed of God that Saul would have such an end, but his death was not a cause for rejoicing. It was a tragedy. God’s people are to trust Him, especially so in critical moments.
Saul’s armourbearer also died by suicide. He likewise fell on his sword when he saw that his master was dead. In addition, all the men of war of King Saul were slain. Those who escaped the sword fled from the battlefront.The Philistines were able to defeat Israel because God handed over the king of Israel to them as a means of chastisement.
The war between Israel and the Philistines was not new, and Saul and his men would have known better. However, the Lord carried out His will. As a result, that tragedy befell them. When it was evident that Israel had lost the war, the rest of the people who escaped the sword fled from the battlefront to save their lives.
Everybody else left the city and ran away. At this point, they were concerned about saving their lives more than keeping their homes and possessions. This is the typical scenerio in the aftermath of any war as the victims are at the mercy of their enemies. Israel had enjoyed victories when they entered Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, but when they departed from the ways of the Lord, they were punished. The period of Judges tells of their defeat by other nations. They asked the Lord for a king and the Lord gave them Saul. And this was the result. The Lord used enemy nations to chastise them whenever they departed from Him. The death of Saul was a case in point. The current defeat was a consequence of the conduct of Saul, but the Lord had not forsaken the nation. He would soon raise it again.
THOUGHT: Obedience to God is not dictated by our mood.
PRAYER: Father, help me to remain faithful to Thee at all times.