What Samuel spoke through the medium of Endor came to pass. The Philistines pursued and killed Saul and his three sons. Saul was critically wounded, but still alive. He commanded his armor-bearer to kill him, but the armor-bearer feared God and could not. So, Saul fell on his own sword and died. The Philistines put his armor in the temple of their god and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. This was how they celebrated their victory over the Israelites.

Saul had begun his reign with a heroic act. He had rescued the city of Jabesh Gilead from the sadistic Ammonite king Nahash (1Sa 11). The men of Jabesh Gilead did not forget this. They risked their lives to recover the bodies of Saul and his sons from being shamefully exposed by the Philistines. They gave them a decent burial. They remembered God’s saving grace and gave honor to Saul and his sons.
Application: Lord, help me to remember your grace and honor those who serve you.
One Word: Remember God’s grace