1 Samuel 31: The Battle Went Sore
Verse of the Day: (31:3) And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

1. Battle (31:1-9)
And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul’s sons. (31:2)

Everyone whether good or evil must die, but only those who believe in God shall be with Him in heaven, otherwise they are condemned in fiery hell because of their sins. The Philistines defeated Israel during their battle, and Saul and his sons including Jonathan died. Jonathan was promoted to heaven because he demonstrated his love for God and His people, especially David, God’s anointed. (1 Samuel 20:1-4) Indeed, we who believe in and love God shall love others including our enemies, because how can we say we love God whom we cannot see, and yet hate others whom we can see. (1 John 4:20-21)

2. Body (31:10-11)
And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan. (31:10)

Satan, the Devil, will not hesitate to hurt and humiliate God’s people, as after all he is eternally condemned in fiery hell because of his pride and rebellion against God. (Revelation 20) The Philistines went all out to humiliate Israel as they fastened the bodies of King Saul and his sons to the wall of Bethshan. It was a tragic day for Israel. However, God is not mocked as He preserved David to succeed Saul to be the next king of Israel and led them to victory over the Philistines. Many times it may seem that God’s people suffer in shame and humiliation, yet God always preserves a remnant, like David and his men, who subsequently defeated their enemies, and honoured and glorified Him. Indeed, God always wins, and let us flee from sins, and walk worthy of His calling, and live victorious lives honouring and glorifying His name now and forever. (Colossians 1:9-17)

3. Bones (31:12-13)
And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. (31:13)

Though the Philistines defeated Israel, yet there arose from Israel, the valiant men of Jabeshgilead who risked their lives to retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Bethshan. They then took their bones and buried under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted 7 days to honour their king and his sons. Though King Saul was a disgrace to Israel, yet the men of Jabeshgilead honoured him and his sons because they honoured God’s anointed king. Indeed, we may not have godly leaders, yet we honour them because they are God’s appointed leaders as He has put them in power and authority. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are with me in all my life battles against the Devil.