1. The Tragic end
1.1. 1 Samuel 31:1 (NLT) 1 Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.
1.2. 1 Samuel 31:2 (NLT) 2 The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua.
1.3. 1 Samuel 31:3 (NLT) 3 The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely.
1.4. 1 Samuel 31:4 (NLT) 4 Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me.” But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
1.4.1. Even in death last thought is to his pride
1.5. 1 Samuel 31:6 (NLT) 6 So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day.
1.5.1. But then it gets worse
1.6. 1 Samuel 31:7 (NLT) 7 ... Israelites ... abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns.
1.7. Vs 8 They Find Saul and his sons bodies
1.8. Vs 9 Cut off head place body in a pagan temple
1.9. The unnecessary price of pride and the cost of jealousy
1.10. A life of stagnatioin
1.10.1. Death with in a short distance from his inaguration
2. Parallel, Saul's and Christ's death
2.1. Appeared to be end of all hope
2.1.1. Saul's Death
2.1.1.1. That is the end of Israel
2.1.1.2. Philistines conquer now
2.1.2. Christ's Death
2.1.2.1. Appeared the end of spiritual hope
2.1.2.2. End of Israel
2.1.2.3. "We belived ina hoax"
2.2. Seemed the enemy won the final victory
2.2.1. Saul's death-Philistine marched to victory displaying the heads of Saul and his sons
2.2.2. Christ's death - Bloody beaten on a cross
2.3. Paved the Way for a new plan
2.3.1. Saul's Death
2.3.1.1. Davids Kingly line would lead to the Messiah
2.3.2. Christ's death
2.3.2.1. Provided our salvation
2.4. Ended era
2.4.1. Saul's death Ended era of dissatisfaction and failure
2.4.2. Christ's death Ended an era of law and guilt and brought a new arrangement based on grace
2.5. Displayed foolishness
2.5.1. Saul's death displayed the foolishness of man
2.5.2. Christ's death displayed the foolishness of God.
2.5.2.1. In human terms
2.5.2.2. 1 Cor 1:25
2.6. I am the result of the grace and foolishness of God!
3. Our Death
3.1. Like Saul and His sons we will all die
3.1.1. Sudden
3.1.2. Slow
3.1.3. Peaceful
3.1.4. Wrenching, hideous bloody and ugly
3.1.5. To early
3.1.6. To late
3.1.7. Comes to all
3.2. Bumping against death
3.3. No need to fear
3.3.1. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT) 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
3.3.2. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
3.3.3. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT) 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
3.4. What will they write about your life?
3.4.1. What Will Jesus Say to you when you see Him?
4. Your Obituary
4.1. Jan Lois Lynch
4.1.1. What's not to love about a woman who loved her children and grandchildren — almost as much as she loved the Boston Red Sox, cold Budweiser, room temperature Budweiser, cigarettes, airplane food, and the OJ trial?
4.2. Danny lloyd
4.2.1. Danny Lloyd "was a generous man — giving away many of his possessions in the months before he died. He even left his car to twelve different friends..." He was a ticket scalper and broker, or as he called it “a facilitator of supply/demand economics.” If you are attending the memorial service, "please ignore Danny’s scalper friends who might be offering to upgrade your seat for a small price."
4.3. Philip Thorpe "Clod"
4.3.1. "Clod, as he was called even by those who knew his name, lived such a boring life that watching paint dry caused him to hyperventilate. His accomplishments will be published at a later date, if any are discovered..."
4.4. Price Davis
4.4.1. Price Mackenzie Davis "was killed when he rushed into a burning pet store to save a litter of purring, adorable kittens. Or maybe not. We all know how he liked to tell stories."
5. Saul's is a sad one
5.1. 1 Samuel 26:21 (NLT) 21 Then Saul confessed, “I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong.”
5.2. Is a fool
5.2.1. When he neglects friend Samuel
5.2.1.1. Does not wait
5.2.2. Impatiently moves ahead of God
5.2.2.1. Offers wrong sacrifices
5.2.3. Disobeys in small things
5.2.3.1. Does not destroy all God commanded
5.2.3.2. Small things lead to big things
5.2.4. Cover up mistakes with excusses
5.2.5. When he lies to himself he is serving God
5.2.6. Allows Jealousy to master him
5.2.7. Knowingly fights God