1 Samuel 31:1-3 (ESV)

Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers.

Saul’s entire reign as King has been marked by war.

He ends his life fighting by his own power in his own strength.

Ephesians 6:10-13

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

We live in an epic war-zone of spiritual dimensions.

Ephesians 6:17

… and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Spiritual wars must be fought with spiritual weapons.

1 Samuel 31:4-6

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. 6 Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.

The ripple effect of Saul’s sin crashes on the shores of the lives of his sons.

1 Samuel 31:8-13

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. 11 But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

Respect is earned, but honor is given.

Romans 13:7

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

David writes a song in honor of Saul and Jonathan called “The Song of the Bow.”

King Saul < King Jesus

1) 1st King of Israel. / Last King of Israel.

2) Saul followed his agenda. / Jesus followed His Father’s agenda.

3) The people served Saul. / Jesus served the people.

4) Saul died fighting. / Jesus gave His life away.

5) Saul’s death brought shame. / Jesus’ death brought life.

6) Saul’s death was a defeat. / Jesus’ death was a victory.

7) Saul’s kingdom was temporary. / Jesus’ kingdom is eternal.

Luke 17:20-21

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

The Church is a divinely-appointed gathering, showing and proclaiming the rule and reign of God, which is His Kingdom.

We must live as citizens of the kingdom of God under the reign of King Jesus.

Revelation 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.