1 Chronicles 10:13

New King James Version

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.

For Meditation
Saul was a very privileged man. He did not have any social or economic standing in Israel for anyone to consider him for the leadership of Israel.

 Am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? (1 Samuel 9:21).

However, God chose him to lead His people as the first king of Israel. It is plausible to say that Saul succeeded God as Israel’s king. What better blessing and opportunity for a young man like Saul!

 Why Saul turned out to be so ungodly is puzzling to the inquiring mind. Samuel loved to be his mentor, but Saul had a different agenda. He followed his ideas and inclinations and shipwrecked the enduring kingship God had intended for him (1 Samuel 13:13-14). King Saul never tracked the plan of God for his life. He did what pleased him rather than God and lost the kingship for himself and his family.

God has a lesson here for all of us. Sin has consequences that could boil over into the lives of our loved ones. Disobedience has momentary satisfaction for the flesh but bites hard where it hurts most. Sad to note that the mind does not always connect the lines to know what we pay for when we walk into the unpleasant things of God. Maybe we would apply diligence to the call and demands of God.

 It is interesting how the Holy Spirit summarized the life of Saul at his death on Mt. Gilboa:

 “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the Lord for guidance. So the Lord killed him and turned the kingdom over to David, son of Jesse” (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).

And the Lord killed him.

A sad commentary to guide us away from Saul’s path!