So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day. 1 Samuel 31:6
The day had come for the end of Saul's reign. On that day, every hope that his men had placed in him was dashed. There would be no future kingdom for his sons; they were dead. There would be no place for those who fought so valiantly for so long.
I wonder what it was like to get to the end of their lives only to realize they had been following the wrong king. God had chosen another. Yet, either out of loyalty or greed, they stayed. His men chose to fight for a kingdom that was disappearing before their very eyes.
Lord, I am so grateful that I won't get to the end only to realize I followed the wrong Leader. Your Son's reign will not end in some fierce battle. The archers cannot overtake Him. The enemy has already lost. Help me to remember that. He can never press in so hard that my eternal future will not be realized.
Come, Lord Jesus. Save us from the arrows of the enemy.