1 Samuel 31: The End of Evil Men

1 Samuel 31 is the concluding chapter of 1 Samuel and it speaks entirely of Saul's death. Although it perhaps is a difficult chapter to apply to our own lives, if we read a little deeper, we can see that this chapter is a perfect portrayal of the end of evil men.

Throughout the book of 1 Samuel, we surely saw the evil that was in the heart of Saul. Although he did have his good and godly moments, most of his moments were not so. He often disobeyed the Lord and did not follow his law, and most importantly he feared men so greatly that he sought to kill David, the Lord's anointed. Surely Saul's heart was overflowing with evil.

Yet in 1 Samuel 31, we see the end of this evil man. The Phillistines, his primary enemy, ended up overtaking him in battle. Three of Saul's four sons were killed, with Saul himself being wounded as well. Saul, in fear of persecution by the Phillistines, ended up taking his own life (which was an act of complete and utter faithlessness, not faithfulness, as some think). His body was then captured, decapataded, and hung on a wall by his enemies. Surely this is not great end for any man, especially a king of Israel.

But in the end, this is the very point: that those who do not follow the Lord will not prosper. Although evil men seem like they prevail in the moment, their victories and triumphs don't last long. They soon come to ruin, and they are soon killed--along with their destinies.

So, where's the application today? Answer: Don't be like Saul. Don't be an evil man who ends up being destroyed by his enemy because the hand of God wasn't upon him. Forsake evil, and do what is good. Fear God, not man. Don't be envious of others, and don't take matters into your own hands. For many were the sins of Saul, yet they all ultimately led to his peril as the soveriegn hand of God was upon him no more. Son and daughter of God, run from evil, rather than be like Saul, lest your end be like his. Amen.