The Tamarisk Tree

“When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.” 1 Samuel 31: 11 – 13.

This brave, bold work of kindness is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 10, and it is from that record, we are receiving wisdom and instruction. These valiant men of Jabesh Gilead owe their present lives to Saul, who once, in brave, unwavering, strong, stubborn action, a man filled with the Spirit of Father God, saved the city of Jabesh from Nahash the Ammonite. Nahash was the most powerful, ruthless and evil enemy around and the people of Jabesh, without help and hope, were turned into a mourning, weeping, devastated people.

At the time, Saul had just been anointed as Israel’s king, but he had not yet taken up rule. He was coming from working in his fields when he heard the wailing of the people of Jabesh Gilead. After inquiring and being told what was happening, “…The Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger.” 1 Samuel 11: 6b. Saul and all the men he conscripted, fought for the people of Jabesh Gilead and delivered them from Nahash, in a mighty, bold, brave and daring act.

These same people of Jabesh Gilead, in deep gratitude and thankfulness, never forgot how Saul saved them when they were as a dead people, unable to help themselves against the enemy. Saul is dead, unable to save himself against the Philistines, because of his rebellious attitude to Father God. Saul is the anointed and appointed leader of God’s children, but Saul has been most;

Unfaithful to God, who is his Faithful Father

Untruthful to God, who is his Truthful Father

Unmindful of God, who is his Mindful Father

Father God is most displeased with Saul and puts a BAN on him.

You see, the Philistines have always been around, never as friends but as Israel’s enemy. Father God has always been fighting for His children and they have known victory upon victory against the Philistines. But Saul has been a most rebellious king, refusing to abide by the Way, the Truth and the Life of his Heavenly Father, and so God puts this BAN on him, where the Spirit of God is removed from him. This Ban is vividly and clearly seen in the presence of his enemies.

Battle – This is not the first time Saul is up against this particular enemy, but this time he suffers devastating defeat. He loses the battle to the enemy. “The Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him." 1 Chronicles 10: 2 – 3. Saul could do nothing to save himself and he finished off what the enemy started and killed himself with his sword.

Armour – The good armour of Saul which had been his sure protection against the same enemy, has now been no protection for him. He loses his armour to the enemy. “They stripped him and took his head and his armor…” 1 Chronicles 10: 9a. Further on we are told that Saul’s armour is placed in the temple of their gods.

Name – The name of Saul, king of Israel is not placed in some prominent place in his palace or palace burial site. He loses his name as he is buried under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh. “Then they buried their bones under the great tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.” 1 Chronicles 10: 12b.

Saul’s name is not in a tomb in Jerusalem, where he has been honoured by Father God, but under a tree in Jabesh, where he has been dishonoured by Father God.

When you honour Father God, you won’t know His dishonour.