Death is one of the saddest topics known to man because it is so final. There is no return to life once a person is dead. However, the Bible records several exceptions to this rule. At least nine were supernaturally resurrected. Elijah raised a boy. Elisha raised a boy. A man came to life when his dead body touched Elisha’s bones. Jesus raised a man at Nain, Jairus’ daughter, and Lazarus. Jesus Himself rose. Peter raised Tabitha. Paul raised Eutychus. Many saints rose when Christ rose. Paul may have died by stoning and rose as well.

In our text this evening, we read of Saul’s death. He had been trying to kill David for many years. How will David respond to the news of Saul’s death?

Transition

As we examine the events surrounding Saul’s death, we find several principles that can help us spiritually.

Saul and Sons died in Battle (1Sa 31:1-13)

1. Their deaths (1Sa 31:1-6)
   1. Saul’s sons died first in battle.
   2. Saul was wounded by an arrow. God had guided that arrow. It was his time to die.
   3. Saul ended his life himself. He feared the abuse the Philistines would give him if he was still alive when they found him.
      ☆ Saul killed himself. What does the Bible say about suicide? No sin, including suicide, will take away a true Christian’s salvation (Joh 5:24), but it clearly disobeys God’s command not to kill (Ex 20:13). It does not glorify God (1Co 10:31). It dishonours the image of God (Gen 1:27). It prevents the person from finishing the course God has for him (2Tim 4:7). It is a poor testimony for Christ. It is selfish and shows lack of love for loved ones. Suicide is clearly an evil wrong!
2. Their humiliation (1Sa 31:7-10)
   1. The Philistines cut off Saul’s head.
   2. They stripped him of his armour.
   3. They sent the victor news throughout all their land.
   4. They put his armour in the house of their gods.
   5. They hung their bodies on the wall of Bethshan.
      ☆ Satan delights in shamefully humiliating Christians before unbelievers. He tempts us to do wrong so we will bring shame to the name of Christ, to our reputation, to our family, and to our church. Beware of his evil tricks. Feel youthful lusts! Guard your marriage! Protect your purity! Control your mouth! Resist the Devil! Draw near to God!
3. Their rescue (1Sa 31:11-13)
   1. The brave men of Jabeshgilead went and rescued the bodies of Saul and his sons.
   2. They burned them at Jabesh. This cremation was probably because of the advanced decay of their bodies making a normal burial impossible.
   3. They then buried their bones under a tree at Jabesh.
      ☆ This is a rare Bible example of cremation. Normally, the Bible speaks of cremation as a curse (Josh 7:24-26). Saul and sons were burned of necessity but then their bones were buried. Most Bible characters were buried. Christ was buried not cremated. Cremation defies resurrection but does not prevent it. Cremation is not the best choice for Christians.

David Hears of Saul’s Death (2Sa 1:1-16)

1. A young man reported Saul’s death to David
   1. He ran from the battle to David bringing Saul’s crown and bracelet to David (2Sa 1:1-3).
   2. Saul and Jonathan had died (2Sa 1:4).
   3. The young man lied about killing Saul because he thought David would reward him (2Sa 1:5-10). Lying is sin.
      ☆ (Colossians 3:9) “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”
2. David wept and punished the young man
   1. David tore his clothes as a sign of grief and then cried at the news (2Sa 1:11).
   2. The mourned and wept until the evening (2Sa 1:12).
   3. David had the young man killed because he claimed to have killed God’s anointed.
      1. The man’s story did not line up with the facts. Saul killed himself and when his armourbearer saw that he was dead, he killed himself too.
      2. This young man’s lie cost him his life. He thought he would be rewarded but he was killed instead.
         ☆ Think about this young man for a moment. Pride, selfishness, and greed motivated him to lie. His lie cost him his life. We must beware of pride, selfishness, greed, and lying. They may not kill us physically, but they will always harm us spiritually.
         ☆ (Proverbs 16:18) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

David Mourned (2Sa 1:17-27)

1. He lamented or cried over Saul and Jonathan
2. His eulogy was full of praise (2Sa 1:19-27)
   1. We find no sign of bitterness in David toward Saul.
   2. David showed no delight that his enemy was dead.
      ☆ If anyone had a legitimate excuse for bitterness, David did. Saul hated him and had been trying to kill him for years. David shows no sign of any bitterness. Bitterness is a cancer that eats the joy out of a person from the inside out. Bitterness makes a person think mean hateful thoughts. Bitterness is pressurised resentment and anger. It may seem harmless, but eventually it will explode. All bitterness is sin.
      ☆ (Ephesians 4:31) “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
      ☆ (Colossians 3:19) “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”
      ☆ To put away bitterness, you need to admit it, confess it to God, pray sincerely for the person it is against until God gives you peace, forgive the person it is against, and tell them you have forgiven them. Failure to forgive them will hurt you spiritually.
      ☆ (Luke 6:28) “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
      ☆ (Matthew 6:15) “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
      ☆ David did not rejoice when Saul died. He mourned. Did you know that God commands us not to rejoice when our enemy falls? We need God’s help with this because it is not easy.
      ☆ (Proverbs 24:17) “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:”
      ☆ (Job 31:29) “If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:”

Conclusion

This evening we have looked at many different principles. We noted reasons that suicide is sinful. We were reminded to flee sin and resist the Devil lest he humiliate us before unbelievers. We mentioned that cremation is a poor choice for our dead. We saw the danger of pride, selfishness, greed, and lying. And we ended with thoughts about bitterness and rejoicing when an enemy falls.

If the Holy Spirit has used this message to put his convicting finger on an issue in your life do not ignore Him. Deal with the issue before you leave tonight. Remember, conviction is one of God’s loving chastening tools. Yield to him now so He does not need to increase His chastening.

Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388
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David Grieved Saul’s Death
6 September 2015 PM – 1Sa 31-2Sa 1 – Life of David – Scott Childs