Ezra was a priest and scribe of the exiled Israelites. Authorship of the book of Ezra as well as of first and second Chronicles, which have a similar literary style to that of the book of Ezra, is attributed to him.

In Chapter 9, Ezra writes of the consequence of unfaithfulness. Though the genealogies of I Chronicles list ascendants of Christ, Ezra notes their sometimes disobedience – a  cause for warning, that others might avoid their mistakes and chastisement.

So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. I Chronicles 9:1

Think about it: God’s chosen people were not exempt from consequences of sin. If God did not chastise them, they would not have been able to call Him, “Father” (Hebrews 12:6). A good father does not want his children to just “do whatever they want.” Children need guidelines and boundaries; so too the children of God need instruction in righteousness and correction when off course. Like an aircraft in flight, the human will does not “fly in a straight line” on its own. But it is constant correction from the left or right, which keeps it on the straight and narrow path.

In today’s reading, we meet Saul who became King (I Chronicles 8:33). Though Saul had been anointed King and received therefore the blessings of God reserved for the God’s appointed leaders, Saul was a jealous ruler. His pride and jealousy led him to do evil in the sight of God. Ultimately, Saul and his sons were slain.

1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers. 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. 6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together. I Chronicles 10:1-6

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14