1 Chronicles 9:35–10:14 (June 7, 2025)

Saul’s Genealogy Repeated

35 In Gibeon lived the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, and the name of his wife was Maacah, 36 and his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth; 38 and Mikloth was the father of Shimeam; and these also lived opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen. 39 Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. 40 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah. 41 The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.1 42 And Ahaz fathered xJarah, and Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. And Zimri fathered Moza. 43 Moza fathered Binea, and Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 44 Azel had six sons and these are their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.

The Death of Saul and His Sons

10 Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died. 6 Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together. 7 And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them.

8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. 10 And they put his armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. 11 But when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

13 So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

Summary

This passage forms a turning point in the book of 1 Chronicles. After nine chapters of genealogies, we move from Israel’s tribal identity to the beginning of its royal history. It starts with a brief genealogy of Saul’s family in 1 Chronicles 9:35–44, which parallels and summarizes the longer genealogy from chapter 8. This placement reaffirms that Saul’s kingship came from a recognized line—he was not a random leader, but a chosen one with tribal roots in Benjamin. However, while his name remains, his reign ends in failure.

Chapter 10 recounts Saul’s final battle at Mount Gilboa. In verses 1–7, Israel is defeated by the Philistines, and Saul’s sons are slain. Wounded and fearful of capture, Saul falls on his sword. The army scatters, and the people flee their cities in fear and shame.

Verses 8–12 describe the aftermath. The Philistines find Saul’s body, strip him of his armor, and fasten his corpse to the wall of Beth-shan. It is a public disgrace meant to mock Israel and her God. Yet the men of Jabesh-Gilead, remembering Saul’s early act of deliverance (1 Samuel 11), courageously recover and bury his body, honoring him in death though his reign ended in dishonor.

Finally, the heart of the passage is found in verses 13–14, where the Chronicler provides a theological explanation of Saul’s death:

This is key to understanding the passage. The issue was not simply military defeat. Saul died because he persistently rejected the Lord’s word, and instead turned to human and even occult counsel. His fall becomes a moral and theological warning for all who lead or follow apart from God.

Reflections

Saul’s story ends with genealogy and judgment, not glory

The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 9:35–44 includes names like Jonathan and Merib-baal (also called Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4:4), reminding us that Saul’s line continued, even if his reign did not. The Chronicler records Saul’s descendants, not to honor his rule, but to close the chapter on a failed kingship. His legacy remains, but it is not remembered with joy. This teaches us that a name can be recorded without being celebrated—a legacy apart from faithfulness to God is always fragile.

Saul’s downfall was not just military—it was spiritual

The Chronicler makes it clear that Saul’s defeat was not simply due to poor battlefield tactics. His fall was the result of spiritual betrayal. As 1 Chronicles 10:13–14 says, he “did not keep the command of the Lord” (cf. 1 Samuel 13:13–14; 15:23), and he “consulted a medium, seeking guidance” (cf. 1 Samuel 28:7–20). Saul’s rejection of God’s voice led to his own rejection. In the end, his disobedience and independence led to spiritual isolation, collapse, and death.

God prepares to raise up better leadership through judgment

Saul’s death is not the end of the story. Verse 14 ends with a profound turning point: “The Lord… turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” This isn’t just a shift in political leadership; it’s the outworking of God’s redemptive plan. Where Saul failed in fear and disobedience, God would raise up David—a shepherd-king who, despite his own flaws, would seek after God’s heart (cf. Acts 13:22). God does not leave His people without hope. Even in judgment, He is making room for grace.

Applications

a) A legacy apart from God will fade.

Saul had every worldly advantage: a strong lineage, physical stature, military leadership, and early public approval. But none of those things preserved his kingship, because he lacked obedience. It is not how we begin, but whether we endure in faith that determines our legacy (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7–8). True honor comes not from what people say about us, but from our faithfulness before God.

b) Disobedience always carries consequences.

Saul’s story is a sobering reminder that God takes obedience seriously. His downfall was not a one-time mistake but a pattern of rebellion and avoidance of God’s word. When we stop listening to Scripture and start seeking guidance elsewhere—whether from worldly wisdom, human popularity, or even spiritual compromise—we are on a path toward ruin (cf. Proverbs 14:12). Let us be people who regularly return to the voice of God and humbly submit to His Word.

c) God clears the way for new beginnings through judgment.

Saul’s death made way for David. Judgment led to renewal. The Lord often removes what is unfaithful in order to plant what is true. When God prunes or disciplines, it is never to destroy His people, but to prepare for something better (cf. Hebrews 12:6–11). In our churches, families, and personal lives, we must trust that God’s justice is always working toward redemptive ends.

Prayer

Righteous and sovereign Lord,

You are patient with us, but You do not overlook unfaithfulness forever.

You raised Saul, but when he turned away, You removed him—not out of cruelty, but in justice and mercy.

Help us to tremble before Your Word, and to walk in Your ways with humility and perseverance.

Keep us from seeking voices that lead us astray, and root us deeply in Your truth.

Where our lives or ministries have been built on pride or compromise, tear them down.

And in their place, raise up hearts that seek You, honor You, and reflect the beauty of Christ our King.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.