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Today’s reading—1st Samuel 28–31 and Psalm 18—brings the book of 1st Samuel to a close. Saul’s tragic end unfolds, and David’s long journey as a fugitive finally cocludes.

On his final day, Saul revealed the true color of his character. Throughout his reign, Saul had a pattern of manipulating situations for his own benefit. At times, he may have appeared to be the godly and rightful king God’s chosen people deserved, but it was smoke and mirrors. In 1st  Samuel 28:3, we’re told:

“…Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.”

That sounds like the right thing a godly king should do. But Saul’s obedience was always suspect—he followed God only when it suited him. Keep in mind, the Spirit of God had already departed from Saul, the throne had been torn away, the kingdom had been promised to another, and Saul knowingly was persecuted the one he knew was God’s choice.

Still, when it suited his desired end, Saul banning all mediums from the land. But when the Philistines advanced and God was silent, Saul’s smokescreen dissipated. Desperate, he sought out the witch of En-dor to summon the spirit of Samuel and inquire of the Lord—violating his own decree. Even though witchcraft is absolutely forbidden in God’s law, Samuel was allowe to come up and prophecy Saul and his sons’ death within twenty-four hours. His throne would be someone else’s—a kingdom that would endure forever.

Meanwhile, David was also in a desperate situation. People were turning on him from every side (what else is new?). The Philistines, suspicious of David’s loyalty, sent him away from battle. When David returned to Ziklag, he found it burned to the ground by the Amalekites. Their families had been taken captive. As if that weren’t enough, his own men spoke of stoning him for this devastating loss. But David didn’t turn to forbidden means. He turned to the one true God—who was still listening.

Unlike Saul, David continued to trust that God would act on behalf of His righteous servant. David sought the Lord’s counsel, pursued the Amalekites, and recovered everything—and more. It may have been this moment David reflected on when he later wrote in Psalm 18:

“He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” — Psalm 18:16–19

God turned everything around for David—not because David was perfect, but because he kept his heart aligned with the Lord. He waited on God when everything seemed lost. Where Saul turned to witches, David never took his eyes off from the one and only true God.

Takeaway: When life presses in and God seems silent, your response reveals your heart. Saul looked for shortcuts and lost everything. David looked to the Lord and found everything restored. Trust the One who delights in rescuing those who wait on Him.