In the previous chapter, we saw David ascend as a leader. In this final chapter of the first book of Samuel, we will see the final moments of Saul's descent. Saul has been mentally crumbling for quite some time now; the kingdom lost to him several chapters previous and the same time his lost his soul for power.
31:1-3 Saul forced his best and most righteous commander out of Israel. Now, under a fierce attack by the Philistines, he is unable to defend the children of Israel. In battle, Saul's sons are killed and Saul is wounded by an arrow.
31:4 Saul commands his armorbearer to kill him, knowing he will die of the fatal wound but wanting it to be on his own terms. The armorbearer refuses. This desperate moment is symbolic of Saul's life. His fatal wound was rejection of God and the only one responsible for his spiritual death is himself. Even though God rejected Saul, no Israelite has the audacity to kill a king established by God.
Saul throws himself onto a sword and ends his life, knowing that he was about to die from the arrow wound but unwilling to again be a victim of the Philistines before doing so.
31:5-6 Saul's armorbearer also kills himself upon witnessing Saul's death.
31:7-10 The Philistines brutally and proudly display their defeat over Saul; the Israelites have been soundly defeated.
31:11-13 Saul's own people find and bury him with respect. Despite his shortcomings, he was not abandoned. Not even in death.
