2 Samuel 1:1-27

David’s response to Saul’s death is unexpected, at least from a natural point of view.  Saul has been persecuting David for years and cost him tremendous suffering.  We would normally expect for David to rejoice and celebrate the death of the source of this suffering and humiliation.  Instead David mourns his death.  We see that David’ heart was truly loyal to his king and to his nation.  The death of Saul represents the loss of such great potential for the nation and a defeat of the nation of Israel.  David truly is more concerned about the people of his nation than he is about his own position or safety.  This is a true demonstration of biblical leadership.  A leader is first of all concerned about his people and their well being over his own.  God is still looking for loyal leaders who will humbly and sacrificially serve His people.

DAVID LEARNS ABOUT SAUL’S DEATH: Saul and his sons have all been killed on the battlefield, but David was far away from there.  When he hears the news he immediately tears his clothes as a sign of mourning and all of his men do the same.  David questions the messenger as how he knew this information and the messenger confesses to having not only seen their bodies, but to have actually finished Saul off at his request.  Saul had been mortally wounded and asked for his armor bearer to kill him in order to be saved from being tortured.  The armor bearer refused so Saul tried to kill himself by falling on his own spear.  The armor bearer did the same thing, but apparently Saul had not been successful in killing himself so when this messenger came upon Saul he begged him to take his life.  This young man follows Saul’s instruction and David ends up ordering his execution for having killed the king of Israel.  Apparently Saul had requested that the crown be taken to David prior to his death.  This is certainly an unexpected response, I imagine that the messenger expected to be rewarded for his actions and not executed.  All life is precious to God and we must never take matters into our own hands even if our motives are mercy.

DAVID LAMENTS OVER SAUL’S DEATH: David writes of song of lament in which he remembers the greatness of Saul and the special love that he and Jonathan shared.  Truly Saul and Jonathan were a beautiful story with incredible potential.  David’s lament is over the loss of this potential that was wasted because of selfishness and sin.  David had done all in his power to help make Saul’s reign successful but was unable to do so because of Saul’s hard heart.  We must be warned of the terrible consequences of sin and do all that is within our power to avoid this hardheartedness in our own lives.  It is easy for us to become so wrapped up in our own agenda that we lose sight of God’s will and desire.  We must do all we can to avoid this trap and realize our full potential in service to the Lord.  David’s example of true sorrow over the tragedy of Saul is worthy of our imitation.  Any time we see the loss of potential for God’s glory, as was the case for Saul and Jonathan, we should truly feel sorrow; no matter what the implications should be in our own lives.