Death of Israel's giant monday May 09, 2011

  Today's treasure:  1 Samuel 31:5

  Read 1 Samuel 31

  First Samuel 31:1 records the victory of the Philistines over Israel.  Based on  God's promise to Israel in Deut. 11:22-25, why do you think Israel lost the battle?

   What request did Saul make of his armor bearer?
  Why do you think the armor bearer would not kill Saul?
  What was Saul's final action? 
  
  War is hard stuff, even when you're only a spectator.  I wonder if Jonathan had heard that David was on the other side.  Did Jonathan look for David's face before he threw his spear for fear he'd harm his friend?  Did Jonathan wonder if David intended to keep the covenant they had made even if Jonathan perished that day?  Did tears blur the sight of his brothers' bodies nearby?


  And what about Saul?  Critically wounded and hardly able to move, Saul urged his armor bearer to take his life.  Saul knew the history of the Philistines.  He knew they made sport of their prize captives.  


  "When the armor bearer saw that Saul was dead."  He had pledged to protect his king to the death.  His job was over and for one armor bearer, there would be no other.  He would die with his king. 
  The Philistines did not need Saul alive to mock him.  They cut off his head, surely in memory of their slain giant, and impaled his body on the wall of Beth  Shan.  The valiant men of Jabesh Gilead heard the news and 'journeyed through the night to Beth Shan.'  They removed the bodies and burned them.  Perhaps they were trying to remove all evidence of mutilation or they were burning away the touch of the unclean hands.  
  These men took a chance to perform this brave and loving act, as they could have been impaled right beside the bodies they came to rescue.  
  The men paid tribute to a king who started well.  They showed gratitude even after 40 years.  May we also let our memories of kindness be long and of offenses be short.  Reflecting on things worth remembering deepens our relationship with our Savior.  
  Several things we need to remember: 
  Psalm 77:11
  Psalm 89: 47
  Psalm 119:55
  Acts 20:35
  Philippians 1:3


  God does remember His children as scripture often records...examples such as: "God remembered Noah".."He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out."
"God remembered Rachel..and opened her womb"


  Remembering should provoke appropriate actions in us.  A good memory often leads the way to a good response.  God's heroes are those who never forget His faithfulness..May we be counted among them.!!!!