The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. (I Samuel 31:4 ESV)
Over Before It Began
Saul had a very bad day at the Battle of Mt. Gilboa.
Some might say that Saul was outnumbered by the Philistines, and therefore lost. Some might say that Saul was out maneuvered by the Philistines, and therefore lost. Some might say that Saul was betrayed by cowardly soldiers, abandoned by his nation, and forgotten by Saul’s previous supporters.
But none of those things are the reason Saul had a very bad day at the Battle of Mt. Gilboa.
Saul had a very bad day at Mt. Gilboa because Saul tried to make God Saul’s servant instead of the other way around. 16 chapters earlier, Saul rejected God’s way. And this happened: And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” (I Samuel 15:26 ESV)
Christians belong to God, not the other way around.
Christians serve God, not the other way around.
Christians obey God, not the other way around.
Our days, too, are finished before they begin, if we try to manipulate God, trick God, usurp God, impress God, force God, or disobey God.
But follow God and our days can have peace, joy, and hope.
Our choice, really.