Text: 2 Samuel 1:17-20
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: (also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold is written in the book of Jasher) The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are thy mighty fallen? Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph
God forbids that your name enters a court register, national daily or even the social media that you are a criminal, paedophile, moral recluse or an impostor; that is just like what happened to Saul and his sons as well as the mighty men of war at Mount Gilboa.
David records concerning Saul and Jonathan that they were slain on the same high places where they once set the battle array, put their adversaries to flight and did exploit. It is just like President Putin of Russia rebuking America for turning their backs at God and defying the moral values of the Holy Bible by giving a Supreme Court verdict legalising gay marriages in the USA. A nation which rose to world power saying “In God we trust”, now says “Our constitution is supreme.” How can a law crafted by men superintend over the time tested infallible word of God?
How horrible it is for an unbeliever to remind you that you are poor or financially tight because you are an unfaithful tithe payer in your Church. Better still, how does it feel when a person known to be mentally sick turns around to address you as a mad man or woman because of your quarrelsome nature regardless of your status as a Bible believing Christian? Say, God forbid!
Saul, the first Royal Highness of Israel succeeded in destroying himself and all his sons together with his mighty men of war through disobedience and sheer disregard for the sacred duties of his pastor towards God on his behalf. The least he could have done was to trust God and honour Samuel, the Prophet by being patient and obedient. See 1 Sam. 13:1-15. All Samuel instructed was for Saul to wait for him at Gilgal, the same place of his coronation – same place that witnessed his lifting. Sadly, in the same place of his beauty, ash was poured all over him and his sons; his place of beauty became the albatross of reproach. Secondly, because Saul failed in the place of his lifting, he fell on the high places where he once held sway against his enemies.
Friend, be sure you give heed to the instructions of God. Be obedient to the word of God at all cost. Resist the temptation to be at odd places. Avoid being involved in any disagreeable act. As it is written in 1 Peter 4:15-16 (ASV): For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: but if a man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
Stand strong in the gift and Christian service into which you have been called or established and always say “NO” to compromises. Beloved, cautiously watch your high places!