1 Chronicles 10:14

And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

And enquired {H1875} not of the LORD {H3068}: therefore he slew {H4191} him, and turned {H5437} the kingdom {H4410} unto David {H1732} the son {H1121} of Jesse {H3448}.

instead of consulting ADONAI. Therefore ADONAI put him to death and turned the rulership over to David the son of Yishai.

and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

and inquired not of Jehovah: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:14 provides a concise summary of the reasons for King Saul's tragic demise and the transfer of the kingdom to David. It highlights Saul's fundamental flaw: his consistent failure to seek and obey the Lord, leading to divine judgment and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of King Saul's final moments and death, as detailed in 1 Chronicles 10. The chapter recounts his defeat by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, his injury, and ultimately his suicide. The preceding verse, 1 Chronicles 10:13, states that Saul died "for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not." Verse 14 specifically zeroes in on a critical aspect of that transgression: his spiritual independence and refusal to consult God.

Saul, the first king of Israel, began his reign with promise but quickly spiraled into disobedience and self-reliance. His failure to inquire of the LORD was a chronic issue, contrasting sharply with David, who frequently sought God's guidance. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, justifying the divine decision to remove Saul and establish the Davidic dynasty, a pivotal moment in Israel's history.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Spiritual Independence and Disobedience: The primary message is that neglecting to seek God's counsel has severe repercussions. Saul's downfall was not merely a result of military defeat but a direct consequence of his spiritual rebellion and failure to rely on the Lord. His refusal to "enquire of the LORD" led him to consult forbidden sources, such as the medium of Endor, further compounding his sin.
  • God's Sovereignty in Kingship: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's ultimate authority over human rulers and kingdoms. It was not merely a political coup or a natural succession, but God Himself who "slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David." This underscores the biblical principle that God removes kings and sets up kings according to His divine purpose.
  • Divine Justice and Faithfulness: God's judgment on Saul was just, given his persistent disobedience and rejection of divine instruction (see 1 Samuel 15:23). Simultaneously, God remained faithful to His promise to establish a king after His own heart, leading to the anointing of David (as seen in 1 Samuel 16:13).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "enquired not of the LORD" (Hebrew: ืœึนื ื“ึธืจึทืฉื ื‘ึทึผื™ื”ื•ึธื”, lo darash b'YHWH) is highly significant. The verb darash means to seek, inquire, consult, or frequent a place for worship/consultation. It implies a diligent, earnest seeking of divine guidance, often through prophets, priests (Urim and Thummim), or direct prayer. Saul's failure was not just a single oversight but a pattern of neglecting these vital spiritual disciplines, opting instead for his own wisdom or illicit means.

Practical Application

The lesson from Saul's tragic end in 1 Chronicles 10:14 resonates deeply today. It serves as a powerful reminder of:

  • The Importance of Seeking God: In all our decisions, big or small, personal or professional, the spiritual discipline of "enquiring of the Lord" is paramount. This involves prayer, studying His Word, and seeking wise, godly counsel.
  • The Dangers of Self-Reliance: When we rely solely on our own wisdom, strength, or resources, we risk moving outside of God's will and inviting unfavorable consequences, much like Saul.
  • God's Unwavering Sovereignty: Even amidst human failure and sin, God's overarching plan prevails. He is faithful to His purposes and can use even negative circumstances to advance His kingdom and establish His chosen leaders.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 15:28 (8 votes)

    And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, [that is] better than thou.

  • 1 Samuel 13:14 (5 votes)

    But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

  • 1 Samuel 28:17 (4 votes)

    And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, [even] to David:

  • 2 Samuel 3:9 (4 votes)

    So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

  • 2 Samuel 3:10 (4 votes)

    To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

  • 1 Samuel 28:6 (4 votes)

    And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

  • 1 Chronicles 12:23 (4 votes)

    ยถ And these [are] the numbers of the bands [that were] ready armed to the war, [and] came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.