The Sad Dash of Saul

Bible Passage: 1 Sa 31:1–13

Introduction: The dates on a tombstone really only point to two monumental events in a person’s life, birth and death. The real significant aspects, what they will be remembered for and who they will be remember by are summarized in a dash and possibly an epitaph...

In a small town cemetery, one epitaph read, 'Here lies Johnny, who was always late; he finally made it on time to heaven's gate!'

Another amusing tombstone says, 'I told you I was sick!'

“Here lies good old Fred. A great big rock fell on his head.”

“Here lies the body of our Anna / Done to death by a banana / It wasn’t the fruit that laid her low / But the skin of the thing that made her go.”

“Here lies the body / of Jonathan Blake / Stepped on the gas / Instead of the brake.”

Big Idea: Disobedience leads to destruction, but turning to Jesus can restore us, offering grace amidst our failures.

Illustration: A child was asked what they wanted on their gravestone. They replied, 'Here lies someone who loved climbing trees and telling stories.'

1. Saul’s Slow Decline

a. Started Well, Dependent on God and His Cause

1 Samuel 9:2 “And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.”

1 Samuel 9:27 “And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.”

1 Samuel 11:6 “And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.”

1 Samuel 11:15 “And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.”

b. Became Impatient and Disobedient

1 Samuel 15:20–23 “And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

c. Became Jealous and Vindictive

1 Samuel 18:8 “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?”

1 Samuel 22:19–20 “And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.”

2. Saul's Devastating Loss

1 Samuel 31:1–3 “Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.”

You could explore how Saul's desperate situation in battle was the culmination of a life of disobedience. Reflect on the initial fear and panic faced by Saul, drawing parallels with how disobedience often leaves us vulnerable and isolated. Emphasize the opportunity for self-reflection, urging your congregation to recognize areas where they might be ignoring God’s commands, just as Saul had done.

3. Saul’s Last Leading

1 Samuel 31:4–7 “Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.”

4. Saul’s Lasting Lessons - We Are Remembered

a. When Christians Fall the Unbeliever Has Cause to Celebrate

1 Samuel 31:8–10 “And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.”

1 Chronicles 10:10 “And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.”

2 Samuel 12:14 “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”

b. When Christians Fall the Believer should...

1) Remember the Good

1 Samuel 11:9 “And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.”

1 Samuel 31:11–13 “And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; 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 Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.”

2) Recognize the Loss

2 Samuel 1:11–12 “Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.”

Maybe focus on the public humiliation Saul faced after death, representing the ultimate consequence of his rebellion against God. This could offer a poignant reminder that hidden sins eventually come to light, and that redemption through Christ is the only way to avoid eternal shame. Encourage turning to Jesus, who bore our shame on the cross.

2 Sam 1:17-27

3) Don’t Repeat the Failure

1 Samuel 26:21 “Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”

Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

Psalm 53:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”

“People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.” The wisdom—and wit—of Thomas Merton.

David, a man after God’s own heart…Saul, a man who played the fool.

Conclusion: Let’s Make Our Dash Count! All for Jesus!

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 KJV

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

“Only one life, twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

That memorable phrase is attributed to C.T. Studd, an English missionary who lived from 1860 to 1931. His life exemplified the sentiment of his words, as he devoted himself to missionary work in China, India, and Africa, leaving behind his wealth and cricket career. Quite the legacy.