1 Chronicles 10:14

And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

1 Chronicles 10:14 (KJV)

Context

This verse closes the account of King Saul’s death and gives the divine verdict on his reign. The preceding verse lists Saul’s transgressions: he did not keep the word of the Lord, and he consulted a medium for guidance (1 Chronicles 10:13). Instead of seeking the Lord, Saul turned to the witch of Endor, an act explicitly forbidden in the law (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

Meaning

The phrase “enquired not of the Lord” does not mean Saul never performed religious acts. He did offer sacrifices and even sought the Lord at times, but his heart was not truly set on God. His inquiry of the medium was not a genuine inquiry of the Lord; it was an act of disobedience and unfaithfulness. The Chronicler makes clear that Saul’s failure to sincerely seek God was the decisive reason for his downfall.

Because Saul did not seek the Lord, God allowed him to be slain in battle against the Philistines. The verse states that the Lord “slew him”, indicating that his death was not merely a tragic accident but a divine judgment. The kingdom was then turned to David, the son of Jesse, as an act of God’s sovereign purpose.

Biblical connections

This transfer of the kingdom to David is part of God’s larger plan to establish a king after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David’s rise is not presented as a human political maneuver but as the Lord’s faithful response to Saul’s disobedience. The contrast between Saul and David highlights the importance of wholehearted devotion to God.

Application

Saul’s example warns us that outward religious activity cannot replace a genuine, humble dependence on God. We may attend services, give offerings, or pray, but if we do not truly seek the Lord’s will and obey His word, we miss the heart of faith. The verse calls us to examine our own lives: do we seek God first, or do we rely on our own plans and forbidden sources of guidance?

Reflection

God’s judgment on Saul is sobering, but it also reveals His faithfulness. Even when human leaders fail, God’s purposes stand. He raised up David, and ultimately, from David’s line came Jesus Christ, the true King. This verse invites us to trust that God is sovereign over every transition and trial, and to seek Him sincerely in all things.