July 5, 2018 Thursday

“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!”” (2 Samuel 1:17-27 NKJV)

            In this passage amazingly David laments the death of Saul and Jonathan. Jonathan is one of David’s closest friends so it is very easy for us to understand his lament for Jonathan’s death but to lament the death of Saul who made attempt to murder David.

            David acknowledges the good deeds of Saul over and over in this lament. It is almost a eulogy that was written and shared by a best friend. One wonders if David is remembering the Saul as he was when David first met him and served him.

            David also laments the death of his friend Jonathan. The love between David and Jonathan was in the words of David wonderful. “Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.” This statement speaks of a friendship many people have never experienced!

            Saul and Jonathan died seeking to save the nation of Israel from the Philistines and before they usually were victorious. But this time as Saul sought to save Israel he and his son Jonathan fought together and in the midst of the battle both died.

            David calls Israel and everyone who reads his lament to honor Saul and Jonathan for their sacrifice of their lives to protect their people. Israel should remember the good things Saul and Jonathan have done for them.

            The man whom Saul persecuted and sought his death now heralds the life of Saul in spite of his actions. David shows us we too need to forgive our enemies and treat them with respect and honor their lives. The value of a person is not defined by how they treat us but by the value God has for them as seen in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

            How do you treat those who do not treat you well? Do we only honor or see value in those who treat us well? Do we lament the death of those who either have not found Jesus Christ or do not live as Christ would have them live?