This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of
Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just
mail your request for COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.
1CHRONICLES
1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.
4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.
When leaders sin, people suffer.
7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
11 And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it;
14 And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
When the Philistine ary defeated Saul and his army, the people suffered greatly. Many even had to leave their homes (verse 7).
Is it not appropriate that we who have caused God to suffer for our sin should sometimes suffer for His glory?
Whatever our lot in this life (whether we receive blessing or sufferings) we should count it JOY to serve God for His glory! Please continue in Bible Study with us.
CHAPTER 10
Saul was the first king of the united tribes of Israel. He was given that distinction by God Himself.
But Saul became obsessed with his own power. God sent him a message through Samuel the prophet about his hardness, but Saul refused to listen. Therefore, God sent the Philistine army to destroy Saul's kingdom and give it to David.
In the process, many Israelites suffered defeat, shame and even death.
My friends, life is NOT fair! Never expect it to be. You might do well, and try to serve God with all your heart. But when leaders sin, people suffer.
Should we not trust God when we do well, AND when we suffer?
We must remember that in us there is no good thing, and that we actually deserve much worse than we receive.
Let us praise God for His steadfast love and forgiveness. And let us live our lives in praise of His glorious name regardless of our circumstances.
The Philistines thought that they could glorify their gods by putting Saul's armor in their temple. But God established David as the new king, and David defeated the Philistines convincingly.
The men of Jabesh-Gilead are remembere here. They risked their lives to save the bodies of Saul and his sons.
Even sinful leaders are due reverence, and we should daily pray for God to guide our leaders.
Saul, it is said, "died for his transgression."
And, yes, many died with him. But through this, God established a kingdom under David, "a man after God's own heart" (1Samuel 13:14).
Therefore, James says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations"(James 1:2)