1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance,
So Saul died
The phrase marks the conclusion of King Saul's tragic reign. Saul's death is not merely a historical event but a theological statement. The Hebrew root for "died" (מוּת, "muth") often implies a divine judgment. Saul's death is portrayed as a direct consequence of his actions, emphasizing the biblical principle that disobedience to God leads to spiritual and often physical demise.

for his unfaithfulness
The Hebrew word for "unfaithfulness" (מַעַל, "ma'al") conveys a breach of trust or treachery. Saul's unfaithfulness is not just a failure in leadership but a personal betrayal of his covenant relationship with God. This highlights the seriousness of covenant fidelity in the biblical narrative, where faithfulness to God is paramount.

to the LORD
The use of "LORD" (יהוה, "Yahweh") underscores the personal and covenantal nature of God in Israel's history. Saul's unfaithfulness is not against an abstract deity but against Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This personal relationship with God is central to the biblical narrative, where God desires a faithful and obedient relationship with His people.

because he did not keep
The phrase "did not keep" (שָׁמַר, "shamar") implies a failure to guard or observe. In the biblical context, keeping God's word is an active, vigilant process. Saul's failure to "keep" signifies a neglect of duty and a passive disregard for God's commands, which is a recurring theme in the narratives of Israel's kings.

the word of the LORD
The "word of the LORD" (דְּבַר־יְהוָה, "davar-Yahweh") is a powerful concept in Scripture, representing God's revealed will and commands. Saul's failure to adhere to God's word is a rejection of divine authority. This highlights the importance of Scripture as the ultimate guide for faith and practice in the life of believers.

and even consulted a medium
The act of consulting a medium (אוֹב, "ov") is explicitly forbidden in the Torah (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Saul's decision to seek guidance from a medium represents a desperate and sinful attempt to gain insight outside of God's provision. This act of disobedience underscores the danger of turning to occult practices, which are seen as a direct affront to God's sovereignty.

for guidance
The Hebrew word for "guidance" (דָּרַשׁ, "darash") means to seek or inquire. Saul's seeking guidance from a medium instead of God illustrates a profound spiritual failure. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking God's guidance through prayer and His word, rather than turning to forbidden or ungodly sources.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign was marked by initial success but ultimately ended in failure due to his disobedience to God.

2. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who established Israel and gave them laws and guidance through His prophets.

3. Medium
A person who claims to communicate with the dead or with spirits. Saul's consultation with a medium was a direct violation of God's commandments.

4. Samuel
The prophet who anointed Saul as king and later rebuked him for his disobedience. Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Samuel's role is crucial in understanding Saul's downfall.

5. Mount Gilboa
The location where Saul and his sons died in battle against the Philistines, marking the end of his reign.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
Saul's life serves as a sobering reminder that disobedience to God's commands can lead to severe consequences, including the loss of divine favor and leadership.

The Danger of Seeking Guidance Outside of God
Consulting mediums or other sources for guidance, as Saul did, is a direct violation of God's commands and demonstrates a lack of trust in His sovereignty.

Faithfulness to God's Word
The importance of adhering to God's word is paramount. Saul's failure to keep God's word led to his downfall, emphasizing the need for obedience and faithfulness.

Repentance and Seeking God
Unlike Saul, who turned to a medium, believers are encouraged to seek God in times of trouble and to repent for any disobedience.

Leadership and Accountability
As a leader, Saul's actions had repercussions not only for himself but for the entire nation of Israel. This highlights the responsibility and accountability of those in leadership positions.
Bible Study Questions
1. What specific actions led to Saul's downfall, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives?

2. How does Saul's consultation with a medium contrast with the biblical command to seek God alone for guidance?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are keeping the word of the LORD in our daily lives?

4. How does the account of Saul's disobedience and its consequences relate to the New Testament teachings on faithfulness and obedience?

5. What lessons can we learn from Saul's leadership that can be applied to our roles in our families, workplaces, and communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 15
This chapter details Saul's disobedience in not fully destroying the Amalekites as God commanded, which led to his rejection as king.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12
These verses explicitly forbid the practice of divination and consulting mediums, highlighting the seriousness of Saul's sin.

1 Samuel 28
This chapter describes Saul's visit to the medium at Endor, providing context for his unfaithfulness mentioned in 1 Chronicles 10:13.
Saul's SinF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 10:13
Saul and DavidF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 10:2, 14
The End of Self-WillR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 10:3-6, 13
The Mighty Fallen!J.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 10:6, 13
The Moral of MisfortuneW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 10:11-14
Saul Inquiring of the EnchantressH. Melvll, B. D.1 Chronicles 10:13-14
Saul's DeathF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14
Saul's DeclensionCity Temple.1 Chronicles 10:13-14
The Danger of SpiritualismR. Glover 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14
The Doom of King SaulBp. Archibald Campbell.1 Chronicles 10:13-14
People
Abinadab, Dagon, David, Israelites, Jabesh, Jesse, Jonathan, Malchishua, Saul
Places
Jabesh-gilead, Mount Gilboa
Topics
Asking, Command, Committed, Consulted, Counsel, Death, Didn't, Died, Dieth, Directions, Enquire, Evil, Familiar, Ghost, Guidance, Inquire, Inquired, Inquiry, Kept, Making, Medium, Python, Saul, Seeking, Sin, Spirit, Thereby, Transgression, Trespass, Trespassed, Unfaithful, Unfaithfulness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 10:13

     1690   word of God
     4175   mediums
     6021   sin, nature of
     6026   sin, judgment on
     6139   deadness, spiritual
     8840   unfaithfulness, to God
     9023   death, unbelievers
     9105   last things

1 Chronicles 10:13-14

     4185   sorcery and magic
     5366   king
     8126   guidance, need for
     8160   seeking God
     8648   enquiring of God

Library
October the Seventeenth no Quest of God
"He inquired not of the Lord." --1 CHRONICLES x. 6-14. That was where Saul began to go wrong. When quest ceases, conquests cease. "He inquired not"; and this meant loss of light. God will be inquired after. He insists that we draw up the blinds if we would receive the light. If we board up our windows He will not drive the gentle rays through our hindrance. We must ask if we would have. The discipline of inquiry fits us for the counsel of the Lord. "He inquired not"; and this meant loss of sight.
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The End of Self-Will
'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 upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchi-shua, Saul's sons. 3. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 4. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumsised
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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