Saul’s Breach of Faith - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.
1 Chronicles 10:13

Saul's Breach of Faith
Sometimes 1 and 2 Chronicles provide lengthy details not recorded in the books of Samuel or Kings. Often, however, the Chronicles give us God's concise analysis of events. For example, Saul's kingship is almost completely overlooked in 1 Chronicles. The record of his death in chapter 10 is essentially all we are given. The summary of Saul's unfaithful life is characteristically brief: He did not keep the word of the Lord, and he sought guidance through a medium of occult spirits.

The details are elaborated in 1 Samuel. In chapter 13, Saul offered a burnt offering instead of waiting for Samuel as he had been instructed. In chapter 15, he refused to destroy the Lord's enemies and was reminded that rebellion against the Lord is like the sin of witchcraft. Ultimately Saul's rebellious spirit led to that very sin! In chapter 28, consumed with fear but no longer in contact with the Lord, he asked a witch to arrange a séance so he could seek advice about a looming attack by the Philistines.

These were not just bad decisions. They were acts of unfaithfulness against the Lord. One translation calls them a "breach of faith" (esv). They were steps of departure from the Lord which proved to be fatal.

Yet, although they seem like extreme examples, we should heed their warnings. Do we not sometimes know God's path in concept but, in practice, choose a different way to solve our problems? Do we not sometimes seek the wisdom of earth instead of the wisdom of heaven? If we know the Lord but refuse to consult His Word and His people in our decisions, don't we also risk spiritual loss (1 Cor. 3:15)? Let us embrace obedience and avoid every breach of faith.

Stephen Campbell