My Way

Read 1 Samuel 27:1–31:13

1. Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.
2. The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua.
3. The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely.
4. Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me.” But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
5. When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king.
6. So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day. 1 Samuel 31:1-6

Most American heroes wear the label “rugged individualist.” These macho types set a sort of standard—an American ideal. And though we may argue about the details, most of us would agree that these heroes live by three rules: they blaze their own trail; they don’t take orders (they give them); and they apologize to no one.

This is the story of Saul’s death, and it’s a dark time in Israel’s history. Saul has tried to be a rugged individualist, and this portion of the Scriptures passes judgment on that experiment in living. Given the similarities to the way we’re urged to live today, we’d do well to pay attention.

As you read, you’ll find these other lessons: being patient; avoiding the occult; and remembering that those who do unglamorous, behind-the-scenes jobs to support the efforts of others are important too.

In Saul’s death (1 Samuel 31:4-13) an ideal also died. Israel could no longer believe that having a king like the other nations would solve all their troubles. The real problem was not the form of government, but the sinful king. Saul tried to please God with spurts of religiosity; real spirituality takes a lifetime of consistent obedience. Saul didn’t have it; he really was a “rugged individualist.”

Heroic spiritual lives take a different approach. They are built by stacking days of obedience, one on top of the other. Like a brick, each obedient act is small in itself, but in time the acts pile up, and a huge wall of strong character results—a great defense against temptation. This strategy doesn’t concern itself with trailblazing, calling the shots, or never saying, “Oops!” Rather, it concerns itself with striving for consistent obedience to God—doing it his way—each day.

Which kind of hero are you trying to be?