10:1 The chronology of chapters 1–9 covers Israelite history from Creation to the exile in Babylon (586 B.C.). At this point, the narrative goes back to the beginning of Israel’s kingdom period, picking up with Israel’s first king, Saul. First Chronicles 10 begins with Saul’s death. To learn about his reign, read 1 Samuel.
10:10 Dagon, the most important god of the Philistines, was believed to bring rain and provide rich harvests. The Philistines built temples to him when they settled in the grain-producing land of Canaan. In times of drought, people begged Dagon for pity, even to the point of sacrificing their children in his temples. In times of plenty, the temples were used for twisted forms of entertainment, such as the humiliation of captives (see Judges 16:23-30). But Dagon, like the other pagan gods, was powerless against the one true God (1 Samuel 5:1-7).
10:11, 12 The actions of the valiant warriors who brought back and buried the bodies of King Saul and his sons should encourage us to respect our God-given leaders. David showed respect for Saul’s position, even when Saul was chasing him to kill him (1 Samuel 26). How easy it is to be critical of those in authority over us, focusing only on their weaknesses. We cannot excuse sin, but we should respect the positions of those in authority, whether at work, at church, or in government. First Thessalonians 5:12, 13 gives instructions for honoring church leaders. Romans 13:1ff gives instructions for relating to government leaders.
10:13, 14 Saul’s unfaithfulness was both active and passive; he not only did wrong, but he also failed to do right. He actively disobeyed by attempting murder, ignoring God’s instructions, and seeking guidance from a medium. He passively disobeyed by neglecting to ask God for guidance as he ran the kingdom. Obedience, too, is both passive and active. It is not enough just to avoid what is wrong; we need to actively pursue what is right.
10:13, 14 In the account in 1 Samuel 28, Saul asked the Lord for guidance but received no answer; this account says he “inquired not of the LORD.” The answer to this apparent contradiction lies in understanding Saul’s motives and the timing of his request to God. His frantic requests came only when he had tried everything his own way. He never went to God unless there was nowhere else to turn. When he finally asked, God refused to answer. Saul sought God only when it suited him, and God rejected him for his constant stubbornness and rebellion.
10:14 Throughout much of Saul’s reign, David was forced to hide from him (1 Samuel 19–30). During this time David had opportunities to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24; 26) and to assume the throne that God had promised him (1 Samuel 16:1-13). But David trusted in God’s promise that he would be king in God’s good timing. It was not up to David to decide when Saul’s reign would end. During the battle, God ended Saul’s reign just as he had promised.
10:14 Why does this verse say that the Lord killed Saul, when Saul took his own life (1 Samuel 31:3, 4)? God had rejected Saul because of his stubbornness and rebellion (1 Samuel 15:22-26) and had judged him for his sins (1 Samuel 28:16-19). God arranged a defeat in battle so that Saul would die and his kingdom would be taken from his family. If Saul had not taken his own life, the Philistine soldiers would have killed him.