April 19, 2025 -A Heart of Deceit

1 SAMUEL 30:1-31

1 CHRONICLES 12:20-22

1 SAMUEL 31:1-13

1 CHRONICLES 10:1-14

1 CHRONICLES 9:40-44

2 SAMUEL 4:4

2 SAMUEL 1:1-27

Chronological Bible Readings

1 Samuel 31:4 Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me.”

But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5 When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king. 6 So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day.

1 Chronicles 10:4 Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and abuse me.”

But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5 When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died. 6 So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together.

Again, the Chronological reading is cool. I never realized how consistent the stories are. Here is the true story of what happened to Saul. We will see next what happens when someone thinks that telling a lie will bring favor to them.

2 Samuel 1:6 The man answered, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear with the enemy chariots and charioteers closing in on him. 7 When he turned and saw me, he cried out for me to come to him. ‘How can I help?’ I asked him.

8 “He responded, ‘Who are you?’

“‘I am an Amalekite,’ I told him.

9 “Then he begged me, ‘Come over here and put me out of my misery, for I am in terrible pain and want to die.’

10 “So I killed him,” the Amalekite told David, “for I knew he couldn’t live. Then I took his crown and his armband, and I have brought them here to you, my lord.”

This guy was looking to find favor in David's eyes because he knew that David held the power and would be the new king. He also knew the reputation of David and his army and the fact that God's was with him. He thought that if he lied about his hand in Saul's death he would be protected by David. He didn't know David at all. The man who would not lay a hand on the Lord's anointed king even when that king was looking to kill him would never be okay with anyone knowingly killing him. He had an evil deceitful heart that is always found out by the Lord. It never pays to lie especially for you own self-interest.