1 SAMUEL 31
Defeat. David won a battle and divided the spoils; Saul lost a battle and was stripped by the enemy. Gideon camped near Gilboa before his great victory over the Midianites (Judg. 7:1), but Gilboa would forever be associated with the defeat of Saul. Are you leaving behind monuments to victory or to defeat?
Death. Death reigned over Israel: their soldiers died, Saul and his armorbearer died, and Saul’s sons died. Such is the high cost of one man’s rebellion:.“For to be carnally minded is death” (Rom. 8:6).
Disgrace. Had Israel won, God would have been glorified. Instead, the pagan idols were honored, and the dead were desecrated. It is bad enough to die in a losing battle, but not to be buried was an even greater disgrace.
Devotion. The brave men of Jabesh Gilead risked their lives to give Saul and his sons a decent burial. After all, Saul had rescued their city forty years before, and they were showing their gratitude (1 Sam. 11:1–11). David later honored them for their feat (