Soap 30

"Sorry I skipped a day... been a little busy to blog but I'm here now."

Scripture

1 Samuel 31:1-13

1-2 The Philistines made war on Israel. The men of Israel were in full retreat from the Philistines, falling left and right, wounded on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines caught up with Saul and his sons. They killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua, Saul's sons.
3-4 The battle was hot and heavy around Saul. The archers got his range and wounded him badly. Saul said to his weapon bearer, "Draw your sword and put me out of my misery, lest these pagan pigs come and make a game out of killing me."
4-6 But his weapon bearer wouldn't do it. He was terrified. So Saul took the sword himself and fell on it. When the weapon bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, and his weapon bearer—the men closest to him—died together that day.
7 When the Israelites in the valley opposite and those on the other side of the Jordan saw that their army was in full retreat and that Saul and his sons were dead, they left their cities and ran for their lives. The Philistines moved in and occupied the sites.
8-10 The next day, when the Philistines came to rob the dead, they found Saul and his three sons dead on Mount Gilboa. They cut off Saul's head and stripped off his armor. Then they spread the good news all through Philistine country in the shrines of their idols and among the people. They displayed his armor in the shrine of the Ashtoreth. They nailed his corpse to the wall at Beth Shan.
11-13 The people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul. Their valiant men sprang into action. They traveled all night, took the corpses of Saul and his three sons from the wall at Beth Shan, and carried them back to Jabesh and burned off the flesh. They then buried the bones under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted in mourning for seven days.

Observation

1. How did Saul end his life?
He fell on his own sword and killed him self.

2. how do the men of Jabesh Gilead demonstrate the honor and courage of heroes?
They display it for all to see. So, that everyone knows what the hero has done.

Application

1. If you could have given Saul one piece of advice early on in his life, what would you want to tell him? How can we talk to our family and friends when we see them headed down a path of destruction?
If I could give Saul advice it would be patience is a virtue. With this he would learn that not everything comes to you right way. But when you wait for the right time you can get everything that you need. I think its really hard to be honest with family members and friends but I think if we give them advice, we should keep in mind that not everyone will fallow that advice. I think saying it is easier then actually doing it. I think saying something is better then doing nothing at all.

2. What are some steps you can take to ensure you are not destroyed by a life of sin?
The steps I think I would have to take would be first of all have a close relationship with my Christ. I also think that talking to others about the problems I am dealing with also helps me keep sin out of my life.

Prayer God, thank you for putting such great people in my life. They have encouraged me to grow in you and be strong in everything I do. Please watch over my best friend as she is about to have a baby or already had a baby. Babies are gifts from God. Also help me be strong in the things I need to do in my life. I know that you are always watching over me but some times giving up these things on my chest helps me to see your true plan. I love you and all the things you do in my life. Amen