“Sha’ul immediately fell full length on the ground and became terribly frightened because of what Sh’mu’el had said. He had no strength left in him, for he had eaten nothing all that day and night.”-1 Samuel 28:20
After Saul heard the Word of the Lord through Samuel, he collapsed to the ground.
He didn’t expect to hear what he heard.
He came for encouragement and a battle plan to defeat the Philistines.
Instead, he received a prophecy of his destruction…
And it was to take place soon.
The spirit’s words hit Saul like a ton of bricks.
He knew he was a condemned man and he knew he deserved it.
To make matters worse, he hadn’t eaten all day.
A lot of folks think Saul hadn’t eaten because he was stressed out of his mind.
But the ancient Jewish sages tell us something different.
They tell us the reason Saul hadn’t eaten was to purify himself and gain Adonai’s favor.
Have you ever heard something so ridiculous?
Saul was fasting to gain favor with the God of Israel who had already abandoned Him.
And he was attempting to approach Him via a heathen séance prohibited by the Torah.
His behavior was as hypocritical as it was laughable.
But here’s the thing.
This tragic and delusional behavior is something we’re all guilty of.
We ignore the path shown in the Scriptures and expect God to accept our own unkosher way of doing things.
Then we feel shocked, upset, and even mad at God when He doesn’t answer our prayers or bless our actions!
The modern institutional church is a perfect example of EXTERNALLY upholding God’s Word while INTERNALLY rejecting His Holy Law.
They hang the 10 commandments on their church walls while teaching the Messiah did away with the Law.
They say prayers over unclean foods Yeshua himself would never have eaten.
In worst cases, they claim they have replaced Israel as the people of God (what a freakin’ joke!).
Also, consider all of the liberal churches that marry gay couples in the name of Jesus.
What an abomination!
When Moses, Abraham, and other faithful men of God approached death, they were told they were going to join their fathers.
They were comforted they would cross over peacefully and be united with their relatives who passed before them.
Saul received no such assurance.
Tomorrow was to be the day of his execution.
It would be carried out by wicked men.
And he would live just long enough to see his sons killed with their blood splattered on his feet.
This passage from the Book of Chronicles neatly sums up what happened.
“So Sha’ul died for the transgression he committed against ADONAI, because of the word of ADONAI that he did not keep and because he sought the counsel of a spirit instead of consulting ADONAI. Therefore ADONAI put him to death and turned the rulership over to David the son of Yishai.”-1 Chronicles 10:13-14
Onward.
Finally, the two men with Saul and the witch convinced him to eat to regain strength.
The woman cooked a meal fit for a king using a special fattened calf and quickly made unleavened bread.
This was to be Saul’s last supper.
So I wanna end today with a question.
After Saul died, do you think he went to heaven or hell?
Eternally speaking, do you think he was saved or condemned?
Some folks say that when Samuel said…
“Adonai is giving Isra’el as well as yourself over into the power of the P’lishtim, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me“…
That was a clear indication that Saul and his sons were going to be where Samuel was.
Where was Samuel?
He went to where all the “Old” Testament Saints went after death, a paradise located in the lower parts of the earth.
They claim that Saul was simply a disobedient believer, much like Lot and Samson but saved nonetheless.
On the other hand, there is a group of folks who say when Samuel said “Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me”, that statement was simply referring to the underworld of the dead in a general sense.
In other words, Samuel wasn’t saying that by the end of the day tomorrow Saul and his sons would be in the same eternal state as him.
He was referring to SHE’OL or the grave where both the righteous and wicked go to be judged.
I think Saul was condemned for all eternity.
Simply, because I see no signs of him repenting right up until his death.
He died an unrepentant man.
But what are your thoughts?
Do you think Saul was saved or not?
And what are the reasons for your answer?
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“And as it is appointed unto
men once to die,
and after this the judgment.”
-Hebrews 9:27
Understanding Saul’s fate involves looking at what the Bible teaches about obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience. When I think about Saul, I’m reminded of the importance of following divine laws and not turning to practices that are clearly condemned in the Scriptures.
Saul’s decision to consult a spirit medium was a serious violation of God’s commands. The Bible clearly states in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 that practices like spiritism are detestable. For Saul to seek guidance from a medium, especially after God had already rejected him as king, showed a lack of faith and obedience. It wasn’t just a minor mistake; it was a blatant disregard for God’s authority.
When Samuel said, “Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me,” I don’t interpret that as Saul going to the same eternal state as Samuel. In my understanding, Sheol is the common grave where everyone goes when they die. It’s not a place of conscious torment or reward but rather a state of inactivity, awaiting resurrection. So, Samuel was simply stating that Saul would soon join the dead.
I believe that God is the ultimate judge, and He alone knows the hearts of individuals. While we can’t definitively say what Saul’s eternal fate is, his actions, especially in his final days, suggest that he wasn’t in good standing with God. Saul didn’t show genuine repentance or seek to restore his relationship with God. Instead, he continued on a path of disobedience and lack of faith.
In the end, I see Saul’s story as a cautionary example. It reminds me of the importance of staying faithful to God, following His commandments and avoiding practices that He condemns. Our hope lies in God’s mercy and the resurrection, and we must remain vigilant in our devotion to Him. Saul’s actions serve as a warning that turning away from divine guidance can lead to serious consequences, both in this life and in the life to come.
I would agree Steve.
I think it comes down to the question of WHO you are, your identity, at the end of your life.
Did you die as a repentant sinner sincerely begging God for mercy?
Or did you die as a rebel resisting God’s grace till the very end?
Of course, only God can see one’s heart, but I think Saul would fall into the latter category.
Be blessed!
i think saul was saved because he fell on his face he did not curse GOD.
he understood the sins he committed .
saul new how he would die, he did not run away to try and save himself he went out to battle and was killed.
Given all the evidence we’ve been given about Saul’s character and his behavior in the Scriptures, I’m not 100% sure about that.
But again, only God can see into one’s heart.
If you’re right Tony, well then that gives hope to all of us now, doesn’t it?
Be blessed!
I have always struggled with the question of who is saved, and who isn’t.
We know that when we sin, we will be punished, both here on earth (although it often seems the sinful are not being punished) and in the Olam Haba (world to come).
But no one can know the condition of someone’s heart at that last moment of life, as they take their last breath.
We know the wages of sin are death (i.e., condemnation in the Olam Haba), but we also know that God doesn’t want anyone to die, but rather that they should turn from their sins (do T’shuvah) and live (Ezekiel 18:23).
So, nu? When someone dies, do they repent in their heart? And is that repentance real, or just some lip service they perform because their religion tells them that when they call on the name of Jesus they will be saved?
Sorry to burst your bubble, people, but salvation is NOT a “come as you are” party!
So, to answer your question, Rich, I will do what all us Jews do… I will answer your question with a question:
“Who can know what is in someone’s heart at their moment of death?”
I can answer that one easily- only God, so we should all first and foremost worry about our own salvation status, and teach others what it is that God wants (not a religion) so that they have the correct information to make their decision about where they will spend eternity.
Great comment and conclusion Steven. Agreed.
Only God knows one’s heart, but the fruit of one’s life can surely be a strong indicator of the condition of one’s heart.
Don’t you think?
Be blessed!