There are probably many takeaways from the story of Saul and his armor-bearer (armourbearer in the King James), but I’d like to look at the armor-bearer for a minute.
1 Chronicles 10:4-5 KJV 4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
First I’d like to look at the duties of an armor-bearer. They were to accompany their commanders.
It did not matter what the situation was. It could be a full on war. This is where the armor-bearer proved his worth though. Armor-bearers carried weapons such as large shields and spears to protect their commanders. They were expected to be aware of potential dangers and problems. This meant that they could not be distracted. They assisted in the battles fighting the enemy. Many of these were formidable opponents. You didn’t really want to pick a fearful or weak person as an armor-bearer. Think about who do you want standing beside you in a battle?
That being said we see here that the armor-bearer would not strike Saul. It says he was afraid. I believe that he was not afraid of the battle. He was afraid of striking the Lord’s anointed. Remember David was Saul’s armourbearer at one point. And even though Saul persecuted him, he would not strike him. Because the armor-bearer never attacks the one whose armor he bears. Above all else the armor-bearer is loyal and confident in their leaders, even when led into dangerous situations. You see nowadays we may not actually be bearing the armor of someone going into physical battle. No, what we are to do is battle in the spirit. Who then do we protect? The armor-bearers today pray over their Pastors or spiritual leaders. We should hold them up in prayer, often going to war in the spirit. Fighting against the things that would attack them. This is something many should do, but this is a calling for some. You may have felt this strong pull of the Spirit to go deeper, fight harder, pray longer, fast more often. You see these leaders are praying and going to war for everyone else, but whose praying for them and their families? If you have a man of God in your life pray for him and his family. If you feel the call to be an armor-bearer, gear up and go to war.
Eph 6:12-18 KJV 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;