Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Chapter 66
Saul Takes His Own Life
This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 28; 31.
"The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and
pitched in Shunem," while Saul and his forces camped a few miles
away at the foot of Mount Gilboa. Saul felt alone and defenseless,
because God had forsaken him. As he looked around at the
Philistine army, "he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly."
Saul had expected that David would take this opportunity to get
revenge for the wrongs he had suffered, and the king was in great
distress. It was his own unreasonable anger spurring him on to
destroy God's chosen man that had put the nation in great danger.
While pursuing David, he had neglected the defense of his kingdom.
The Philistines, taking advantage of its unguarded condition, had
gone into the very heart of the country. While Satan had been urging
Saul to destroy David, the same hateful spirit inspired the Philistines
to try to ruin Saul. How often Satan moves upon some
unconsecrated person to start a quarrel in the church, and then,
taking advantage of the divided condition of God's people, he stirs
up his agents to bring about their ruin.
The next day Saul must fight the Philistines. Dark shadows of
impending doom gathered about him. He longed for guidance, but
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