Lesson 4

The Demise of Saul

Chronology Summary

Saul Sought Supernatural Assistance (I Samuel 27-28)

David decided to go live at Gath. He did this to disallow Saul the chance to kill him. Achish, king of Gath, provided David and his family a place to live. Achish believed that David had abandoned the Israelites and would serve him. (I Samuel 27:1-12)

David joined himself to Achish as a bodyguard. The Philistines began preparation for another attack against Israel. When Saul learned of this attack, he trembled. He asked God for guidance. God did not answer him. Saul went to a woman of the medium, for help. The disguised Saul requested this woman retrieve the spirit of Samuel. When the woman saw Samuel, she knew that she was dealing with King Saul. Saul conversed with the spirit of Samuel. Samuel explained that God was no longer with Saul because of the sin in his life. Samuel concluded his conversation telling Saul he would die the very next day. This clearly terrified Saul. (I Samuel 28:1-25)

Saul's Final Battle (I Samuel 29-31)

The Philistines gathered their army at Aphek. David and his men went with the Philistines, at the rear of the formation. The other Philistine leaders recognized David and insisted Achish send him away. Achish told David to take his men and depart. David did as instructed. (I Samuel 29:1-11)

While David traveled back to Ziklag, the Amalekites had raided the region and captured the women and children of Ziklag. David's men were furious and desired to stone David to death. David asked God what he should do. God instructed him to pursue the Amalekites and destroy them. David followed the instruction of God. However, some of his soldiers were too exhausted to continue with David. David ran into an abandoned Egyptian, servant of the Amalekites. This Egyptian agreed to take David to the camp of the raiders. David and his men routed the Amalekites and recovered all that was taken from Ziklag. David, proving he possessed an understanding heart, forced the victors to share the spoil with those men who were too exhausted to continue. David distributed the spoil to the elders of Judah. (I Samuel 30:1- 31)

The Philistines continued their war against Israel. Jonathan was captured and summarily executed. As the battle increased, Saul was wounded. He demanded his armor-bearer to finish him off. The armor-bearer refused so Saul fell on his own sword, taking his own life. The Philistines defiled Saul's dead body and hung it in the temple of their god. The valiant men of Jabesh went and recovered Saul's body and buried him properly. (I Samuel 31:1-13)

Psalm 70 - Make haste, O God, to deliver me!

Who will say continually "Let God be magnified"?

Psalm 16 - Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust

What happens if a person loves other gods besides God? How do you love other gods?
Define hope. What can cause you to become hopeless?
How does a person have the kind of hope that David experienced?
Who does Psalm 16 refer to in verses 9-11 ?