Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.
Comment: What a sad day for Israel. You wonder what may have been the result if Saul had had David as one of his generals. But that is pointless speculation. God had said that Saul had transgressed too far in disobedience and that his time was coming to an end, and so thus the prophecy is fulfilled. Now the position is up ‘for grabs’, at least from a human point of view. But God has already had His say as to whom He will put into Saul’s place.
Prayer: Sadness is a part of our lives, Father God. Help to see beyond them and trust You in the midst of our problems.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. It is a sad day, and yet a day which was coming because God had rejected Saul as King, which is also sad. Now, after years of waiting, and fleeing from Saul, David will have the anointed position which God has planned for him. God’s plans always come to fruition. God bless you.
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