Fridays with David

Read 1 Samuel 31:3-6 – The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.  And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day. (NKJV)

The end had come for Saul. As had been prophesied, the kingdom passed from his family. His sons died on the battlefield with him that day. Saul feared becoming sport for the Philistines and chose to fall on his sword instead. By day’s end, the people had fled and the nearby towns had been lost to the enemy. It was a day of overwhelming loss--the kind that ends the story of disobedient kings. There’s no silver lining here. The king is dead, the battle is lost and the people have fled. Yes, Saul has come to his end, but consider the loss others experienced in the same moment. We can also foolishly believe that our failures don’t affect anyone but ourselves. But when we lose, so do those we love and those we lead. Our choices are woven into the consequences that arise for others too. Making the right choices not only keeps us on track but also helps those around us. Right choices keep us from compromising the paths of others.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.