The Path Is Cleared: 1 Samuel 31

I didn’t remember this chapter ending like this. All of Saul’s sons—gone. Including Jonathan.

"But the Philistines caught up with them and killed three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua… they found the bodies of Saul and his three sons lying on Mount Gilboa." (1 Samuel 31:2, 8 GNT)

Jonathan wasn’t just a good man—he was deeply loyal, close friend of David. He was the friend who protected David when no one else did.

In our Bible study today, one of the ladies said something that made me really think: This cleared the way for David to take the throne. There was no one left from Saul’s family to complicate it.

Interesting RIGHT?

I don’t believe Jonathan would’ve gotten in the way. He supported David. He believed in God’s call on his life. The reality is relationships can be messy. Loyalties divide people. Even good-hearted connections can confuse a season God is trying to make clear. Sometimes, painful loss becomes part of the path forward. Not because God is cruel or careless—but because He’s orchestrating something bigger than we can see.

He is Good. He is good to me AND He is good at being God. I think I should trust him!

There’s no denying that this cleared the way. It's just sad all the way around. Missed opportunities, the death of dear friends and a New King, all at the same time. There really is so much to process.

• grief and clarity

• heartbreak and calling

Have you ever had to walk forward after something was taken from you—not because you wanted it gone, but because it was the only way to move into what God had next? EEEEEK. That's a hard one to think about.