Wages (1 Samuel 31)

This exploration of 1 Samuel 31 confronts us with the brutal reality of sin's consequences through King Saul's tragic end. We witness the stark contrast between two responses to failure: Saul, who refused to repent and pursued evil consistently, meets his death on Mount Gilboa alongside his sons, while David, despite his failures, knew how to strengthen himself in the Lord and experience God's mercy. The narrative reveals that sin isn't just a personal matter—it ripples outward, affecting families, communities, and even God's reputation. Saul's story demonstrates how seemingly 'small' sins like vanity and caring more about human approval than God's can lead to devastating destruction. The men of Jebesh Gilead provide a glimmer of hope, showing covenant loyalty even in tragedy, yet their act of dignity cannot reverse the curse of sin. This sobering account ultimately points us beyond itself to another mountain, another king, and another death—where Jesus on Calvary took the judgment we deserved. We're challenged to examine which king we're following: the one who lived for himself or the One who died for us. The wages of sin is indeed death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ, who paid our wages and offers us mercy when we turn to Him in repentance.