Good Grief: How The Mighty Have Fallen - 1 Samuel 31:11-2 Samuel 1:27 Series

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Introduction: How did David get Saul’s crown and armband?

The writer has been making a concerted effort to exonerate David of any wrongdoing in the way in which he came to the throne. A lot of things looked really bad, but the writer has answered each of the circumstances that made David look guilty. Why was David not there to protect Saul? Because Saul drove him away against his will. What about the rumors that David was conducting raids against Israel? False. What about the fact that David marched out with the Philistines against Saul? His plan was to turn and attack the Philistines from behind once the battle started. Why didn’t he end up doing that? Because over his strong objections the Philistine rulers sent him home. Where was David when Saul was killed? Ninety miles away fighting the Amalekites.

So all the questions have been answered except one. How did David end up with Saul’s crown and royal armband? That is a little suspicious, because everybody knows that after Saul died the Philistines cut off his head and stripped off his armor and put it in their temple. If David had nothing to do with Saul’s death, how did the crown and armband end up in his possession? Let’s find out.

God honors His Work

We left off last time in verse 10 of 1 Samuel 31 in the middle of a gruesome scene. What is left of the headless, bloody body of Saul is hanging from the wall of Beth-Shan at the crossroads for all the travelers through Israel to see.

1 Samuel 31:11 When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan.

(That would be like going from Greeley to the Fort Collins exit of I-25.)

12 …They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. 13 Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

The very first military action of Saul’s reign as king was the rescue of Jabesh Gilead, and it was a huge success. Chapter 11 is without a doubt Saul at his best.

Jabesh Gilead had surrendered to Nahash the Ammonite and Nahash had given them a choice – “Either you all die, or, if you want to sign a treaty, you have to let me gouge out the right eye of very one of you so I can bring disgrace on Israel.” They were in deep trouble, but then…

1 Samuel 11:6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power

Look out Nahash. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon an Israelite leader in power I do not care how big your army is – you had better run for the hills. Saul comes and wipes out Nahash and rescues Jabesh Gilead.

These valiant men from Jabesh Gilead who come take down Saul’s body may not have even been born when that rescue happened 40 years earlier back in chapter 11. But they heard the stories about it, and there seems to be some gratitude on behalf of that city.

So Saul’s life ends in mostly disgrace, however there is one little glimmer of honor. And it is honor that comes from the one time, years and years ago, when Saul acted under the power of the Holy Spirit. When you do something in the power of the Spirit it is amazing the impact it has – impact that can outlast your lifetime, and that can bring some benefits even after a life of rebellion against God. God honors the work of His own hands. So when the Holy Spirit works through you, expect God to honor that work – even if it is after you die. The Lord will not let the work of His own Spirit fall to the ground.

David’s Reaction to the Death of Saul

2 Samuel 1:1 After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. 2 On the third day a man arrived from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head.

That is never a good sign. When a messenger shows up from a battle site with torn clothes and dust on his head that means he is bringing really bad news. Those were signs of mourning.

2 … When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor. 3 "Where have you come from?" David asked him. He answered, "I have escaped from the Israelite camp." 4 "What happened?" David asked. "Tell me." He said, "The men fled from the battle. Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead."