Big Idea: Those rejected by God forfeit his guidance and must face the inevitability of judgment.

Understanding the Text

The narrator briefly suspends the story of David’s escapades while based in Philistine territory and turns his attention back to Saul. In chapters 29–30 he resumes David’s story before again focusing on Saul in chapter 31. The switch back and forth between the two principal characters reflects their geographic separation, yet also foreshadows their contrasting destinies. David and Saul are now moving on different paths: David will move closer to assuming the throne of Israel, while Saul’s place of residence will soon become the grave (cf. 28:19).

In chapter 28 we find the culmination of Saul’s self-destruction. When he disobeyed God by failing to wipe out the Amalekit…