In Sunday’s sermon, “Thus Saul Died,” from 1 Samuel 31, Ryan highlighted a number of contrasts between Saul and David that help bring the book of 1 Samuel to its climax and conclusion. Ryan showed these across a few slides, but we thought we’d compile these fascinating contrasts for you here on the blog.

Contrasting events, Same Day

On two separate days there are a series of contrasting events that happen alongside one another. There are clear queues in the text, but it can be hard to pick up at first. Ryan pointed them out to us on two slides.

Day 1:

• Saul hears of Philistines assembling for battle against the Israelites (1 Samuel 28:4-5)
• David discovers the terror of Ziklag city raided, burned, and families taken (1 Samuel 30:1-6)
• Saul inquires of the Lord in vain just silence (1 Samuel 28:5-6)
• David inquires of the Lord and hears and is led out with God’s blessing (1 Samuel 30:7-8)
• Saul sets out to Endor for a medium (1 Samuel 28:7)
• David sets out to pursue Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:9)

Day 2:

• Saul faces Philistines and is slain (1 Samuel 31:1-5)
• David finds Amalekites and decimates them (1 Samuel 30:16-20)

The Contrast Increases toward the Close of the Book

As the book nears its close, the contrasts between David and Saul get more and more pronounced.

• David inquired of the Lord and was led (1 Samuel 30:8)
• Saul inquired, but got only silence, then judgment (1 Samuel 28:6-7)
• With no strength David strengthened himself in God (1 Samuel 30:4, 6)
• With no strength Saul was “strengthened” by a witch (1 Samuel 28:20, 22)
• David was divinely rescued by Philistines (1 Samuel  29)
• Saul was divinely judged by Philistines (1 Samuel 31:1)
• David faced God’s enemies with confidence (1 Samuel 30:9, 10)
• Saul faced God’s enemies with fear (1 Samuel 28:5, 19-20)
• Facing death, David sought the Lord for strength (1 Samuel 30:6)
• Facing death, Saul asked his servant to expedite it (1 Samuel 31:5)
• David pursued and struck down the enemy (1 Samuel 30:17)
• Saul fled, hid, and was struck down by the enemy (1 Samuel 31:1-3)
• With David, none of his 400 men died (1 Samuel  30)
• With Saul, everyone around him died (1 Samuel 31:6)
• Israel’s enemies fled before David and his people (1 Samuel 30:17)
• Israelites fled after Saul’s death (1 Samuel 30:7)
• David plundered the enemies (1 Samuel 30:20)
• The Philistines plundered Israel (1 Samuel 31:7b-10)
• David sent out good news of victory to his people (1 Samuel 30:26)
• The Philistines sent out “good news” of Saul’s death (1 Samuel 31:9)
• David led Israel in peace, care, and blessing (1 Samuel 30:24-26)
• Saul led Israel into utter chaos, shame, and exile (1 Samuel 31:7-10)