1 Samuel 26 to 31 in the King James Bible concludes the dramatic story of David and King Saul, showcasing themes of mercy, fate, and the tragic consequences of disobedience to God. These final chapters in the book of 1 Samuel trace David’s continued flight from Saul, his surprising acts of grace, and ultimately the fall of Saul’s reign as Israel’s first king. David’s trust in God, even in the face of deadly opposition, stands in stark contrast to Saul’s increasing paranoia, despair, and disobedience.
1 Samuel 26: David Spares Saul Again
In 1 Samuel 26, David once again demonstrates his unwavering commitment to honoring the Lord’s anointed, despite Saul’s ongoing attempts to kill him. Saul, having been informed by the Ziphites of David’s location in the wilderness of Ziph, sets out with three thousand men to capture David. However, David is not only aware of Saul’s approach, but God also delivers Saul into David’s hands in a vulnerable situation.
During the night, David and Abishai, one of his warriors, sneak into Saul’s camp while everyone is asleep. They find Saul lying asleep with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abishai urges David to take this chance to kill Saul, stating that God has clearly delivered Saul into David’s hands. But David refuses, saying, “The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed.” Instead, David takes Saul’s spear and water jug as proof of his ability to have killed him.
From a safe distance, David calls out to Abner, Saul’s commander, and rebukes him for failing to protect the king. David reveals the spear and water jug to Saul, once again demonstrating his loyalty and innocence. Saul, deeply moved by David’s mercy, confesses that he has sinned and promises not to harm David again. The chapter ends with Saul blessing David, though their conflict remains unresolved.
1 Samuel 27: David Seeks Refuge Among the Philistines
In 1 Samuel 27, David, weary of being pursued by Saul, decides to seek refuge with Achish, the king of Gath (one of the five Philistine cities). David reasons that if he stays in Israel, Saul will eventually kill him, but if he lives among the Philistines, Saul will stop searching for him.
Achish, believing David has now completely turned against Israel, gives him the town of Ziklag to live in with his six hundred men and their families. David stays in Philistine territory for sixteen months, during which he secretly raids the enemies of Israel, such as the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites, while leading Achish to believe he is raiding Israelite towns. By leaving no survivors, David ensures that his deception remains hidden, and Achish comes to trust him completely.
1 Samuel 28: Saul and the Witch of Endor
One of the most haunting and tragic episodes in Saul’s life occurs in 1 Samuel 28. The Philistines prepare to attack Israel, and Saul, in a state of panic, seeks guidance from the Lord. However, because of his previous disobedience, God does not answer Saul, whether by dreams, the Urim, or through prophets.
In desperation, Saul resorts to seeking out a woman with a familiar spirit—a medium or witch—despite having previously banished such individuals from Israel. Saul’s servants find a woman at Endor, and Saul disguises himself to visit her. He asks her to summon the spirit of Samuel, the prophet.
To the woman’s shock, Samuel’s spirit actually appears. Samuel rebukes Saul, reminding him that the Lord has departed from him because of his disobedience, especially regarding the incomplete destruction of the Amalekites. Samuel also foretells that Saul and his sons will die in battle the next day, and Israel will fall into the hands of the Philistines. Devastated, Saul collapses in fear and grief, and the woman feeds him before he returns to his camp.
1 Samuel 29: David’s Dilemma with the Philistines
In 1 Samuel 29, David finds himself in a precarious position. As the Philistines prepare to go to war against Israel, Achish expects David and his men to join them in battle. However, the other Philistine leaders distrust David, fearing that he will turn against them in the midst of the battle to regain favor with Saul. Despite Achish’s confidence in David’s loyalty, the Philistine lords demand that David and his men be sent back.
Reluctantly, Achish tells David that he must return to Ziklag and not fight alongside the Philistines. David, still playing the role of a loyal servant, feigns disappointment, but ultimately avoids having to fight against his own people.
1 Samuel 30: The Battle of Ziklag
While David and his men are away, the Amalekites raid Ziklag, burning it and taking all the women and children captive, including David’s two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. When David and his men return to Ziklag and find it destroyed, they are devastated, and David’s men even speak of stoning him in their grief.
However, David strengthens himself in the Lord and inquires of God whether he should pursue the Amalekites. God instructs him to go after them, promising victory. David sets out with his six hundred men, though two hundred stay behind due to exhaustion.
David and his remaining four hundred men find an Egyptian slave who had been abandoned by the Amalekites. After feeding him, the slave agrees to lead David to the Amalekite camp. David’s forces attack the Amalekites, defeating them and recovering everything that had been taken, including their families and all the spoils.
David then shares the spoils equally with the two hundred men who had stayed behind, setting a precedent for fair distribution among those who go to battle and those who stay with the supplies. David also sends gifts from the spoils to the elders of Judah, further strengthening his alliances.
1 Samuel 31: The Death of Saul and His Sons
1 Samuel 31 brings a tragic end to Saul’s reign. The Philistines and Israelites engage in battle on Mount Gilboa, and the Israelites are quickly overpowered. Saul’s sons, including Jonathan, are killed in the fighting, and Saul himself is gravely wounded by the Philistine archers.
Rather than be captured and tortured by the Philistines, Saul asks his armor-bearer to kill him. When the armor-bearer refuses, Saul takes his own life by falling on his sword. His armor-bearer, witnessing Saul’s death, also commits suicide. The Philistines find Saul’s body, behead him, and display his armor in the temple of their gods. His body, along with the bodies of his sons, is hung on the wall of Bethshan as a trophy of their victory.
However, the men of Jabesh-gilead, in a final act of loyalty to Saul, retrieve the bodies and give them a proper burial, burning them and burying their bones under a tree in Jabesh.
Conclusion: A Kingdom’s Tragic Fall
The final chapters of 1 Samuel paint a stark picture of the decline of Saul’s kingship. From his desperate consultation with the witch of Endor to his ultimate demise on Mount Gilboa, Saul’s life ends in tragedy, the result of his repeated disobedience to God’s commands.
In contrast, David’s mercy and faith remain central themes in these chapters. Despite multiple opportunities to kill Saul and seize the throne, David consistently chooses to wait for God’s timing. David’s victories against the Amalekites and his fair treatment of his men further cement his reputation as a just and righteous leader, paving the way for his eventual rise as the king of Israel.
As the book of 1 Samuel closes, the stage is set for David’s ascension to the throne, but it is overshadowed by the sorrowful end of Saul and his sons, marking the close of one era and the beginning of another in Israel’s history.