This morning’s reading opens with the second book of Samuel and David’s learning of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths. David and his men have just returned from victory over the Amalekites. The Amalekites had taken their wives and children captive, burning their homes and city Ziklag to the ground. Having retrieved their wives and children, David and his men spend a couple of days combing through the rubble, looking for anything of value that survived the fire. While they are doing this, none other than an Amalekite comes and tells David the news of Saul and Jonathan. This Amalekite claims to have killed Saul, David’s enemy, likely figuring this will give him favor with David. But instead of fist bumping the Amalekite, David has him killed based on the Amalekite’s claim of killing the LORD’s anointed.
What follows next is shocking! David composes a funeral song honoring Saul and his sons, who died in battle—honoring Saul? Honoring the one who hunted him like an animal, forcing him to go on the run and live in caves, eventually exiled from his family and homeland? Honoring the one whose jealousy has made David’s life so unbearably miserable? It would be about fifteen years from the time David was anointed king to when David would be seated as king over all of Israel, thanks in part to Saul. Wow, what graciousness on David’s part!
So, what words does David use to honor Saul and his sons? Notice the following verse, especially the last phrase, which David repeats three times in his funeral song.
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! (2 Samuel 1:19, KJV)
David also says in verse 22 that Jonathan’s bow was powerful, and Saul’s sword did its mighty work. He says in verse 23 that Saul and Jonathan were beloved and gracious! David says they were swifter than eagles and stronger than lions. He calls on the women of Israel to weep for Saul, as he weeps for Saul in verse 24. Was Saul deserving of honor from the one who would sit next on the throne, who, through jealousy, he had hunted like an animal? Who is the gracious one here?
David had learned to let God be the judge of all things. Hiding in those caves, he learned he didn’t have to right all the wrongs against him; God would bring justice. He learned while on the run he didn’t have to get even. David learned that God would bring to pass what God had promised through Samuel’s anointing years ago. And what did these lessons give David? They gave David victory over bitterness! How could a bitter man honor the one at the root of his bitterness? He couldn’t! It sounds like God has prepared David for a throne!
Remember what God says of Himself in His Word as we go through life.
…I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:24, ESV)
While God doesn’t need anyone to “let” Him be God, for He is God, do we know this in a practical way in our lives? Do we sometimes try to be God in our lives—hanging on to situations that only God can truly deal with in His timing? Are there some things that we need to let go of and “let” God have them?
May we know the peace of letting God be God in our situations, the power of this victory, and the joy of rejoicing in our God who delights in love, justice, and righteousness. God will work out all things for good for those who love Him!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Samuel 1:1-4:12.