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This is not the end of the book of Samuel, but it brings the account of the life of Saul to an end. Thirteen simple verses record a succinct conclusion that carries no surprises. We know what is coming, and Saul does too. The events however are moving and disturbing, and there is profound impact in its brevity. God resists the proud, and even the rebellious soul is under God’s control.
How are we to handle the death of Saul in our minds and hearts? Because we know the whole of Saul’s life, we may be tempted to think, “He had it coming.” However, the writing of 1 Samuel 31 expects us to pause and ponder the tragedy. We can see Saul, all people, and ourselves. Just as if we knew Saul, let’s take time to reflect on his death and what it calls us to personally.

Message from James Sumpter on May 12, 2024

These final chapters of 1 Samuel have been presenting the circumstances of David and Saul in separate but parallel accounts. Their lives are no longer intersecting, but they do have remarkedly similar circumstances.
Both of them have faced temptations to wipe out enemies rather than trust the Lord, the constant presence of the Philistines, pressures from their own people, and circumstances of great difficulty.
David and Saul reveal their faults as sinners, but we learn that one of them continually returned to God while the other continually rejected Him. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul reaches a breaking point and completely turns to wickedness for answers. In chapter 30, we will find David facing similar pressures, but turning to God.

Message from James Sumpter on May 5, 2024

Hopelessness is a scary and dangerous thing, but it is not always evident. Hopelessness can be seen in a couple different ways in someone’s life.
Someone in a discouraged or depressed state can become unrealistically negative. Perhaps even more often, someone can be hopelessly shortsighted. They have an unrealistically positive state of mind. In either case, hopelessness affects decisions in a deep way.
In 1 Samuel 28, we find Saul living a hopeless life. He rejected God, and in turn, God rejected Him. When Saul then had a need for God, God was not available to Him. You do not get to reject God, and then command His favorable presence. In his hopelessness, Saul turned to things he had once condemned.
This chapter can leave us with questions about the power of things like sorcery, witchcraft, and necromancy. The fact that Samuel, a prophet of God, is summoned by a woman using evil practices is concerning to us. Is there true power in necromancy or occult influences? Why was Saul allowed to use this type of power for his own information?
It is important up front to view this circumstance through the lens of Scripture. Particularly, what the Bible says about the event itself in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. “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 enquire of it; And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”
What Saul did was warned strongly against in God’s Law (Lev. 18:31, 20:6, 20:27, Deut. 18:10-12). Saul rejected God and died under judgment.
But how did Saul get here?

Message from James Sumpter on April 28, 2024