“And when his armour bearer, saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died” 1 Chronicles 10:5 (KJV)
We live in a time where most people render eye service to their boss. Even in the house of God, many appear to render eye service for what they stand to gain, not the service they are meant to render. The scripture declares that in the last days, perilous times shall come. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy”. 2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV). Love for self is the root of most evils and crimes we see in our society today. People trample on the right of others to promote themselves or to rise. People rob, kill and extort others for selfish gains. Robbers, thieves, kidnappers, fraudsters, ritual killers, dupes, rapists all fall in this category of love for self.
Most people who see themselves in the position of this armour bearer will kill Saul. I believe that Saul may have maltreated this armour bearer one time or the other. He could have his personal ambition of becoming king or see the occasion as opportunity of gaining favour with David which some people who never had that opportunity tried to do. Notice that King Saul requested that the armour bearer kill him, he even gave him good reason to do so, but faithfulness and loyalty wouldn’t permit him to kill his master. He knew that King Saul was not joking, but how can he lay his sword on his master?
Not so with the politicians or rulers of today. Many associate pastors even plot for the downfall of their senior pastors, seeking for opportunity to pull them down so they can take their place.
Notice what the armor bearer did when Saul fell on the sword and died. He too fell on the sword and died. He chose to die beside his master instead of living without him. Since he could not defend him, he can as well choose to die with him. Can King Saul do the same for him? No doubt, King Saul was not the best of leaders, his activities proved so, but that did not stop the armour bearer from dying with him. Can we die for the gospel and for our master? If King Saul is worth dying for, how much more Christ and the cause for which he gave his life.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to so commit to your cause even unto death in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu