The Death of King Saul

For many years, King Saul ruled over Israel, but his disobedience to God led to his eventual rejection as king. He became consumed by jealousy and fear of David, relentlessly pursuing him. In 1 Samuel chapter 31, we read about the final battle between Israel and the Philistines, a battle that would tragically end Saul's life.

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the circumstances of the battle in which Saul died. What was the outcome for the Israelite army?
2. How was Saul wounded during the battle? What did he ask his armor-bearer to do? Why?
3. What did Saul ultimately do when his armor-bearer refused? What does this tell us about Saul's state of mind at the end of his life?
4. How did the Philistines treat Saul's body and the bodies of his sons? What symbolic significance might this have held?
5. How do you think the Israelites felt when they heard about the death of King Saul and his sons?
6. Reflecting on Saul's life as we've learned about it, what were some of the key decisions he made that led to this tragic end?
7. What lessons can we learn from Saul's life and death about obedience to God, humility, and the consequences of our choices?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we read with sadness about the death of King Saul. His life serves as a reminder of the importance of following your ways and the consequences of turning away from you. We pray for understanding and wisdom as we reflect on his story. Help us to learn from his mistakes and to always seek to honor you with our lives. Amen.

This discussion is based on The One Year Bible Storybook by Virginia Muir.