I Chronicles 10:14 And inquired not of the LORD; therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse
I read I Chronicles 10 today and it comes at the end of a long line of genealogies with cities, people, and names that are fly-by country in the Bible. There is much to learn from those. When you get to chapter 10, it talks about the death of Saul. Now, why did Saul die? Someone says, “He died because he fell upon his own sword.” Well, that is not why he died but how he died. The Bible does tell us about that in verse 4, “So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.” Then in somewhat typical Bible understatement verse 6 says, “So Saul died.” He fell on his sword and consequently he died.
Later, the Bible tells us that the Philistines took his armor and head and fastened his head in the temple of their god Dagon. So, that was the reason for his death, but why did he die? Verse 13 says, “So Saul died for his transgression,” and verse 14 really brings it to a point. Saul “inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him.” So, why did Saul die? He died because he “inquired not of the LORD: therefore he [God] slew him.” So, let’s get the picture straight. Saul falls on his sword and God is the one that slew him. Verse 14 continues, “And turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”
What are you doing to destroy yourself today? That is a horrible question. Back in August there was story about a man who live-streamed some sort of self-harm. That gained attention rather rapidly. I don’t think most of us are intentionally doing something to destroy ourselves. So, the question might be, “What are we doing to improve ourselves?” The answer may be physical, social, dietary, or something else, but what about your very soul? What would be the easiest sin for you to commit? Something you actually do or something you do not do? Saul’s major sin here is not what he did do, according to verse 13, but what he did not do, what he omitted. He “inquired not of the LORD.” Authority abhors a vacuum.
So, what you learn depends on whom you ask. A lot of people know a lot of things, but the things they know are not true. Saul did not inquire of the right person. To be clear, everyone, whether they know it consciously or not, is asking someone. Saul’s problem was not that he didn’t ask. He did ask. He asked the witch of Endor. Verses 13-14 talk about his transgression. He asked “counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; and inquired not of the LORD.”
Quite frankly, knowing what is not nearly as important as knowing who. What you know is not nearly as important as the one from whom you find out what you need to know. That is the biggest contrast perhaps between David and Saul. David was always inquiring of God. I Samuel 30:8 says, “David inquired at the LORD.” Two chapters previous it says that when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer. So, he asked the witch of Endor. It was because Saul had been ignoring God.
I read an article about reasons Americans are cutting off connection with their parents. Several of the reasons are outside voices, social media and friends. Proverbs 6 says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” God’s Word gives us guidance and so do the parents God has put into our lives. You may not be a kiddie today, but the bottom line is God gives wisdom. He often gives that through people. So, don’t cut yourself off from people who can help and don’t cut yourself off from God.
How many of us have been on social media or YouTube, listened to a podcast, read a book, asked counsel of a friend? How many of us have read the Bible and understand something of it? You can read the Bible and understand it, and you can cultivate people in your life who are wise, godly, savvy, and can give guidance. Much of the purpose we need comes down to the people we consult. You may think you need some grand purpose in life to have happiness, but you also, and perhaps even more so, need people in your life. The right people are vital. So, knowing what is not nearly as important as knowing who and Saul did not inquire of God.
At the end of the day we are not sovereign we are stewards. The Bible says God turned the kingdom, sovereignty that Saul had, unto David the son of Jesse. It is interesting that God clarified who David was by calling him the son of Jesse, which is perfectly appropriate for a book that has so much genealogy in it, but it also speaks to the fact that David led because David followed. David was good at making decisions because he was good at following directions. We all need both of those.
If you need wisdom today, ask God. James 1 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” Ask God; inquire of God. Be curious and needy and ask. More specifically, ask God’s Word. If you are not in the Bible on a regular basis, nothing else you listen to or read is going to make up for that gap. The Bible is a massive book and it is eternal in its scope, yet you can read it and understand it, though that takes time and habit. Cultivate that habit today. My wife and I read the same passages every day. We talk about it and fill in gaps for each other. It is mutually helpful. Maybe you can find someone with whom you can read the Word of God and talk about it. So, ask God. Pray and read the Word He has given.
Then, don’t ignore the people God has put in your life who have wisdom, love the Lord, and have ability for the part of life in which you need wisdom and counsel.
So, why did Saul die? He died because he inquired not of the Lord. That is a fault you and I need not repeat. May God help us to ask God and follow the answers that He gives.