I Chronicles Chapter 10

Please read:  I Chronicles 10 –

The book of I Chronicles began with a long genealogical record of the people of Israel, but the main purpose of the book is to establish a historical record of the kings of the Israelites and how they relate to God’s purpose and plans.  And so, the writer begins with a short synopsis of the reign of King Saul.  He sums up the reign of Saul in two verses at the end of the chapter, “So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore, the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”

There had been so much potential in the man Saul.  He began his reign seeking God’s wisdom and direction.  But it wasn’t too long before his pride took over and his downfall began.  Saul dishonored the LORD God at every turn and became a desperate man entrapped by the wiles of the devil.

Let's Reflect

1.  What army was fighting against Saul and his army?

2.  Saul was wounded in battle being struck by an arrow, but it didn’t kill him.  How did he die?

3.  Saul was not the only one to die but so did his sons in battle.  His son Jonathan is not named here, but he also died.  Jonathan the friend of David died the same day as Saul.  How many sons died?

4.  The Philistines won that day, the Israelites fled for their lives, and Saul lay dead on Mount Gilboa.  The Philistines desecrated the body of Saul by cutting off his head.  What did they do with the head of Saul?

5.  The Israelite men of Jabesh-Gilead heard what had happened to the body of Saul.  They did what they could to honor him in death.  What did they do with his body?

6.  Why does it say in verse 14 that the LORD put Saul to death when we know that he purposefully fell on his own sword?