While David was back fighting the Amalekites, Saul lost his battle (and his life) to the Philistines. On the run for “ten chapters” the Lord delivered him from his pursuer for good. God is faithful!

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 31:1-13

ESV Text: 1 Samuel 31:1-13

KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:9

     1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul’s sons. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. 6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. 7 And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

     8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. 9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. 10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan. 11 And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; 12 All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. 13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.(KJV)

Hymn: TLH 402 :
O God, Forsake me Not

Hymnary.org— — Organ Audio

1. O God, forsake me not! 
Thy gracious presence lend me; 
Lead Thou Thy helpless child; 
Thy Holy Spirit send me 
That I my course may run. 
Be Thou my Light, my Lot, 
My Staff, my Rock, my Shield, – 
O God, forsake me not! 
 
2. O God, forsake me not! 
Take not Thy Spirit from me 
And suffer not the might 
Of sin to overcome me. 
Increase my feeble faith, 
Which Thou Thyself hast wrought. 
Be Thou my Strength and Power, – 
O God, forsake me not! 
 
3. O God, forsake me not! 
Lord, hear my supplication! 
In every evil hour 
Help me o’ercome temptation; 
And when the Prince of hell 
My conscience seeks to blot, 
Be Thou not far from me, – 
O God, forsake me not! 
 
4. O God, forsake me not! 
Thy mercy I’m addressing; 
O Father, God of Love, 
Grant me Thy heavenly blessing 
To do when duty calls 
What’er Thou didst allot, 
To do what pleaseth Thee, – 
O God, forsake me not! 
 
5. O God, forsake me not! 
Lord, I am Thine forever. 
Grant me true faith in Thee; 
Grant that I leave Thee never. 
Grant me a blessed end 
When my good fight is fought; 
Help me in life and death, – 
O God, forsake me not! 
 
 

Hymn: LSB 731 :
O God, Forsake Me Not

Hymnary.org—