1 Samuel 31: Irreverent Philistine Gospel | Respect for ☧ Saul

Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 31.

“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.’” Riddled with arrows and barely able to move, Saul knows he doesn’t have much time left in chapter 31. His actions spare Israel further scandal at the hands of the Philistines, but already their “gospel” of cruelty sends out shockwaves of fear. Yet Jabesh-gilead remembered when Saul saved them from Nahash, and they boldly recovered his body to give Saul a proper burial. Even in this dark hour, the Christ-like boldness of faith that David exemplified was not extinguished, and God continued to work good from evil towards the true gospel of David’s Son.