“So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.”
~ 1 Samuel 31:6
Hi James and Ellen,
What legacy do you think that your dad is going to leave? Your grandmaa’s dad and your grandpaa’s dad never made pursuing power, seeking position and/or having prestige as their life goals. Your grandmaa’s dad was a kind and positive dad who genuinely enjoyed being with other guys and gals. Your grandmaa’s dad was respected and appreciated. Your grandmaa’s dad worked as a salesman for Hercules. Hercules is a chemical company that has offices in Wilmington, Delaware. Your grandmaa’s dad liked dancing ballroom dances – such as the fox trot, with your grandmaa. Until your grandmaa’s Grandpa Whitson died – which was when your grandmaa was a kid, your grandmaa’s dad and ma did not own a car. Before your grandmaa’s Grandpa Whitson died and whenever your grandmaa’s dad and ma, your grandmaa, your grandmaa’s big bro Danny and your grandmaa’s sister Jill traveled to eastern Maryland – which was where your grandmaa’s Grandpa and Grandma Rollison lived, your grandmaa’s dad would borrow his dad’s car. Your grandmaa’s dad for several years took his family for an Atlantic Ocean weeklong beach vacation. Your grandma’s dad was a member of Orthodox Presbyterian Church – that was on Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware, which his dad helped to begin and build. Your dad’s Grandpa Whitson’s legacy is having put his family first, enjoying life and ensuring that his kids would come to personally know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. After your grandmaa’s bro graduated from Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, Danny has been the pastor of three churches. Your dad’s Uncle Danny is now working in Philadelphia as one of the comptrollers at Orthodox Presbyterian Church’s headquarters. Your grandmaa’s sister Jill – before early onset Alzheimer’s took her ability away to normally interact with guys and gals, was actively involved in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church that is in Newark, Delaware. Your grandmaa’s little sister Cindi has been for years proactively involved with her husband Hal in the Calvary Christian Reformed Church that is in Holland, Michigan. If your grandmother could have chosen what her life would be like, your grandmaa would have been just fine with living in the same house in the same town all her life. Your grandmaa is very much like her dad was. Your grandmaa genuinely likes being with and doing things with other guys and gals. Your grandpaa really enjoys watching other guys and gals seeking out your grandmaa’s insightfulness and thoughtfulness. Your grandmaa’s wit – to your grandpaa, has to be the world’s quickest. Your grandmaa’s heart desire today is to see young guys and gals mature in their relationship with God.
Your dad’s Grandpa Lengkeek left a legacy, too, of putting his family first, enjoying life and ensuring that his kids would come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. One of your grandpaa’s dad’s legacy was a lifelong message to his kids that not conforming to a subculture’s expectations – such as holding to Dutch traditions, is okay. Your grandpaa one day heard his dad referring to himself as being a nonconformist. Your grandpaa’s dad enjoyed being outdoors. Your grandpaa’s dad liked to hunt pheasants, go fishing and play softball. After graduating from Calvin College’s seminary, your grandpaa’s kid bro Harold has been a Christian Reformed Church pastor. Harold is presently the pastor of Bethany Christian Reformed Church that is in Bellflower, California. Your grandpaa’s other two bros – Stan and Joey, and your grandpaa’s two sisters – Kat and Marge, throughout their marriages have been very involved with their husbands in the churches where they are members. Your grandpaa was an introvert like his dad was. Your grandpaa’s enjoyment of sports and especially fishing rubbed off on your grandpaa. Your grandpaa may have inherited his dad’s very dry humor that included a slight grin and twinkling eyes.
Saul’s legacy is of what a life becomes like when the strongholds of power, position and prestige take root. When Samuel tapped Saul with orders that he got from God to anoint Saul as the first king over the Israelite people group guys and gals, Saul was doing his own thing among his Benjamin tribal clan peers. Saul was apparently a tall, really good-looking dude. It did not long after Saul was officially positioned by Samuel to be king over the Israelite people group guys and gals that Saul began to focus on himself versus supporting the guys who were around him who wanted to help him. David was one of those guys who wanted to help Saul. Even though David one day ridded for Saul a Philistine nemesis – a giant who was known by the name of Goliath, David had to run for his life in order not to be murdered by Saul. Even though Saul had a prophet – who was Samuel, nearby who he could have gone to for personal counsel, Saul sometimes thought that he knew better what to do than what Samuel did. If you suddenly have unlimited power dumped on your lap, how would you handle or use the limitless power in an ascribed position that projects endless prestige? Saul did not do it well. 1 Samuel 31 is about the last day of Saul’s life. Verse 6 says, “So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.” Saul would have his archenemies – which was the Philistine people group’s army, do a number on him. Saul’s foolish decision to go into battle against the Philistine people group’s army resulted in three of his kids – Jonathan – who was David’s best friend, Abinadad and Malki-shua, being killed. Saul’s last selfish decision and final legacy was killing himself. Your grandpaa cringes when he hears a guy or gal today discussing what he or she hopes that his or her legacy will be as the guy or gal is invariably referencing to what he or she will have done versus what God has him or her to become.
1 Samuel 31 (926)