Viewpoints: God's-Man's

Viewpoints: God’s—Man’s In studying the books of I and II Samuel, I and II Kings and I and II Chronicles, one occasionally finds what seems to be contradictory accounts of the same man or incident. Careful research of these comparable records soon discloses a shift of viewpoint from one account to its counterpart in another Old Testament book. The books of Samuel and Kings are written from a human viewpoint, man’s point of view. The books of Chronicles, on the other hand, are written from God’s point of view, from the vantage point of spiritual power. Man’s point of view will simplify life to apparent, overt actions; but God, understanding the spiritual forces at work in the world, goes beneath the surface and points out the spiritual aspects which bring about man’s destiny. The accounts of two kings, Saul and Jehoshaphat, are clear examples of the changes of viewpoint from man’s analysis to God’s over-all view. Records of the death of Saul are found in I Samuel 31, from man’s viewpoint, and in I Chronicles 10, from God’s viewpoint. At the end of his life, Saul is once more battling the Philistines. I Samuel 31:1-6: Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. The record in Samuel makes Sa