You have to wonder why the Chronicler did not spend any time discussing David's rise, victory over Goliath and the several years running from the swords and spears of Saul. The first thing to be recounted after the long genealogical account is Saul's demise, Israel's defeat, and David's anointing from 1 Chronicles 10 to 1 Chronicles 11.
1 Chronicles 10:13–11:2 (ESV) So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. 1 Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’ ”
Consider as well that 23 chapters are devoted to Saul's anointing as King and eventual demise in 1 Samuel but only 1 chapter contains the facts of that demise in 1 Chronicles. The writer is intent on moving on to the renewal of the Kingdom under David and not even hinting at the possibility that Saul would matter in the future.
Of course, we need to ask, what is this teaching us about our lives? If 1 Chronicles is written to encourage returning exiles to boldly retake their place in the Promised Land and establish the kingdom once again, there must be no imaginations of a Sauline kingship. The kingship belongs to David. He is the one who led the people through the battles and he is the one who rightfully assumes their lead.
I had a thought about many Christians today. They seem to keep drifting from Jesus. They believe in God and go to church but they sideline Jesus or "look past" Him in their desire for growth, power or development. If 1 Chronicles teaches us anything first it is that only the Son of David can bring us back to where we need to be. We must keep our eyes on Him and place our hope in His finished work.
Consider the lack of content in 1 Chronicles about Saul's failures to be a lesson for your own life. Do you wish to get back to God's original intention for your human life? Look to Christ. The Chronlicer recounts Saul's death as such:
1 Chronicles 10:3–4 (ESV) The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.
This moment is instrumental for us. As Saul was wounded and dying from the attacks of the enemy, so too we in our flesh are wounded and dying from sin and shame. Paul says,
Ephesians 2:1 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
What Saul does to himself is instructive for our spiritual fight. He puts himself to death. Now we are never to commit suicide but we are to seek the death of our old nature, to lay down our lives and seek the life God gives us in Christ.
Colossians 3:5 (ESV) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Galatians 5:24 (ESV) And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
As Saul sought the end of his nature so we seek the end of ours. We seek this because God will resurrect us to new life through our true and better David, King Jesus. Thus Israel declares to David, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh." In other words, in you, we live.
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