Finally, after years of hostility toward David and bizarre behavior, King Saul met his end on the battlefield, along with some of his family:
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically (1 Samuel 31:1-3).
David was freed from his biggest nemesis but also lost Jonathan, his staunchest supporter. There are so many lessons to learn from this story, but let's focus on what happened after Saul's death and how David responded as we continue our 'Training for Reigning' series.
"I DID IT"
We read that after Saul was wounded, he commanded his armor bearer to finish the job and kill him. When the assistant refused, we read, ". . . so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him" (1 Samuel 31:4b-5). However there was a young man who was watching this scenario play out and ran off to report the news to David. While he was on his way, he applied his creativity and altered the actual story in a way that would portray him in a good light—or so he thought:
“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” the young man said, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and their drivers in hot pursuit. When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, ‘What can I do?" "He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ “‘An Amalekite,’ I answered. “Then he said to me, ‘Stand here by me and kill me! I’m in the throes of death, but I’m still alive.’ "So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord” (2 Samuel 1:6-10).
The Amalekite thought this rendition of Saul's death would win him David's favor, but he was mistaken, for
David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” Then David called one of his men and said, “Go, strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed'" (2 Samuel 1:14-16).
David could have responded, "Oh well, Saul was going to die anyway and you saved someone the trouble of putting him out of his misery." Instead, David had the liar executed. Why did he do that?
HE DID IT
David knew that if this man didn't hesitate to kill Saul, then he also wouldn't hesitate one day to do the same to David. David also knew that he didn't anyone helping him come into God's promised throne by taking matters into their own hands. David had already resisted the temptation to kill Saul when he had the chance on two occasions. Therefore, he was not going to reward someone who didn't understand how God conducted His business.
Years ago, I was in South Africa when I awakened to a presence in my room and realized it was the presence of God. I was at a critical point in my life when I was starting over in ministry, even though I was 50 years old. The Lord spoke to me out of that presence and said, "I'm going to build your ministry and no man or woman will be able to take credit for doing it. It will be by My hand." Now more than twenty years later, I can testify that the Lord has kept His promise. And while many people have helped me, some who I least expected to do so, God has done for me what He did for David. He has given me a place to reign and I owe no one any allegiance or gratitude because they opened the door or went to bat for me. God has built it and has served as my promoter, agent, advisor, and financier.
Has God made a promise to you? He probably has and that means He will stand behind His word. You will work hard, but you don't have to fret or connive or take matters into your own hands to make it happen. He will do what He said He would do. I hope you learn from David's story and my testimony that God will use people but He doesn't need people to move on your behalf. And when He does, it's all good and you will know the truth of Proverbs 10:22, "The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it" (ESV). Have a blessed week.
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