Day 198: The Fall of Saul and Jonathan

On Day 198 of Immerse: the daily Bible reading experience, the narrative covers the tragic battle between the Philistines and Israelites at Mount Gilboa. Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan, die in the battle. Saul takes his own life after being gravely wounded, and his armor bearer follows suit. The Philistines celebrate their victory by desecrating Saul's body, but the people of Jabesh Gilead retrieve and honorably bury Saul and his sons. Meanwhile, David receives news of Saul's death from an Amalekite, who claims to have ended Saul’s suffering. David, in his grief, has the Amalekite executed for killing God’s anointed. David mourns deeply for Saul and Jonathan, composing a lament known as the Song of the Bow. Following these events, David consults God and moves to Hebron, where he is anointed king over Judah. Concurrently, Abner, the commander of Saul's army, proclaims Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, king over other regions of Israel.

00:00 Introduction and Context
00:04 The Battle of Mount Gilboa
01:19 The Aftermath of Saul's Death
02:12 David Learns of Saul's Death
04:24 David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan
06:10 David Becomes King of Judah
07:34 Conclusion and Farewell

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Volume 3 — Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel–Kings

Kingdoms

Immerse: Kingdoms is the third of six volumes in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Kingdoms presents a new and unique journey through the story of Israel from the time of its conquest of Canaan (Joshua) through its struggle to settle the land (Judges, Ruth) and the establishment of Israel’s kingdom, which ends in a forced exile (Samuel–Kings). The nation of Israel, commissioned to be God’s light to the nations, falls to division and then foreign conquest for rejecting God’s rule.