Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1-27 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the
slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag, 2 on the
third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul’s camp with his
clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he
fell to the ground and prostrated himself. 3 And David said to him, “Where have
you come from?” So he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4
Then David said to him, “How did the matter go? Please tell me.” And he
answered, “The people have fled from the battle, many of the people are fallen
and dead, and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.” 5 So David said to the
young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are
dead?” 6 Then the young man who told him said, “As I happened by chance to be
on Mount Gilboa, there was Saul, leaning on his spear; and indeed the chariots
and horsemen followed hard after him. 7 Now when he looked behind him, he saw
me and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8 And he said to me, ‘Who are
you?’ So I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 He said to me again, ‘Please
stand over me and kill me, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still
remains in me.’ 10 So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that
he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his
head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my
lord.”
11 Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all
the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until
evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and for
the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 Then David said
to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the
son of an alien, an Amalekite.” 14 So David said to him, “How was it you were
not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” 15 Then
David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he
struck him so that he died. 16 So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own
head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the
LORD’s anointed.’”
17 Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his
son, 18 and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow;
indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher: 19 “The beauty of Israel is slain
on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath,
proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon—lest the daughters of the
Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21 O
mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain upon you, nor fields of
offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul,
not anointed with oil. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the
mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not
return empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives,
and in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, they
were stronger than lions. 24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed
you in scarlet, with luxury; Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25 How
the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was slain in your
high places. 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been
very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of
women. 27 How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”
Devotion
David was no usurper. He did not seek to overthrow Saul, but instead spared
him, protected him, loved him, and spoke well of him. All this came from
David’s fear of the Lord. He understood that it is righteousness from God to
show love even to those who persecute you. But he also knew that Saul was
anointed by the Lord, so to act against him was to act against the Lord.
Even though Saul was a tragically flawed representative for the Lord, God still
worked mighty things through him. In some ways this can be compared to Israel
in the old covenant. The Lord accomplished great holy works among His people,
but their repeated faithlessness brought many problems. That which would come
after would be greater and overshadow the one before. Like David’s reign
surpassed Saul’s, the new covenant in Christ Jesus would outshine the failings
of the old Israel (see Hebrews 8-10).
When men like Saul fail, God still remains faithful. David, Solomon, and the
other kings to come after Saul would all stumble. But each in his own way would
serve to point forward to the greatest glory and fulfillment of kingship in
Jesus Christ. Man would always fail, so only God Himself could come and serve
as the true faithful King over His people.
Sinful men would also put forth their hands in an attempt to destroy Christ.
But news of this King’s death would not be cause for His enemies to rejoice.
News of our King’s death would be the greatest victory in history, as He would
rise again and give life to all who believe in Him!
Posted by The Reverend Jeffrey A. Ahonen on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran
Diocese of North America, publisher of the Lutheran Herald.
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