1 Samuel 31 tells us how the Philistines attacked Israel and were victorious, ending both King Saul and his sons’ lives – Saul’s sons in the battle and Saul by his own hand. Saul’s tragic life ended in a sad and lonely death, having refused to turn away from his mad pursuit of David and having failed to turn away from his sin. Saul’s death came about according to the Lord’s own warning to him, but even this did not deter him from this course of action. Saul’s death stands in stark contrast to the death of Jesus, the true King, whose death was not senseless and sad, but secured the salvation of the people of God and brings them real and eternal hope.