While David was dealing with the Amalekites, he was not aware of what was happening in the battle between the invading Philistines and the Israelites. In fact, the Israelites suffered a defeat with great losses. The losses included the death of the king, Saul, and his sons.
David Learns Of The Deaths of Saul and Jonathan
2 Samuel 1:1-10
After defeating the Amalekite raiders and recovering their families and belongings, David returned to Ziklag. A man came to him there. He had been in the battle with the Philistines. The fact that he was alive means he was one who fled the battle at some point. He had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head. He was either mourning or wanting to look like he was.
David asked about the outcome of the battle, probably thinking Saul and the Israelites had prevailed. Instead he was told that the Israelites were defeated, many were killed, and many fled. Among the dead were Saul and Jonathan.
You can read about the battle in 1 Samuel 31:1-7.
David was incredulous. He demanded to know how the man knew Saul and Jonathan were dead. (5) The man told him he “happened” to be on Mount Gilboa, where Saul was. He claimed that Saul was still alive, but injured, and the Philistines were closing in.
The man further claimed that Saul called him and asked him to kill him. So, the man killed him. Then he took Saul’s crown and armlet and brought them to David. (10) These items are signs of kingship.
The man was lying about killing Saul. Saul committed suicide to avoid abuse at the hands of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 31:4-6) He likely made the claim to gain favor with David. He must have know David was to be king after Saul. So he also brought the royal items to David. But David did not react as the man expected.
David Mourns Saul And Jonathan
1:11-16
Instead of rejoicing, David tore his clothes in grief. He and his men mourned, wept, and fasted until evening. The grief was for Saul and Jonathan, but also for the great losses in battle.
But David also called the messenger to account for killing Saul. He asked the man where he was from. The man said he was (the son of) an Amalekite sojourner. (13) A sojourner was a foreigner who was living in Israel. A sojourner was required to obey the covenant law. (Leviticus 24:22)
So, the Amalekite should have known he was not to strike the Lord’s anointed. Saul’s armor bearer refused to strike him even though Saul instructed him to. (1 Samuel 31:4) David had also refused to strike Saul on this basis.
The penalty for taking a life was execution. (Leviticus 23:17) So, David had the man executed.
David had previously said that the Lord would take care of Saul as he pleased, without David’s participation. (1 Samuel 26:10) And that has come to pass. David will come to the throne without killing Saul.
David’s Lament
1:17-27
David then wrote a poem of lament, or a lamentation, for Saul and Jonathan. A lament expresses sorrow and mourning. It was to be taught to the people. It was recorded in the Book of Jashar, or Book of the Upright, an extra biblical book. There are several books that bear this name, but do not seem to be the one mentioned here. This book has been lost.
There is no criticism of Saul in the lament, only praise for the men and sorrow that they have been killed. David is certainly generous to the memory of Saul.
But we do notice David’s personal grief over Jonathan. He called on the women of Israel to weep for Saul. But he expresses his personal grief over Jonathan in verses 25-26. He was distressed. He appreciated the love Jonathan had for him and said it was extraordinary.
And it was extraordinary, because Jonathan loved and supported David at his own expense. He who would have been king supported the man who should have (in human terms) been his rival. Matthew Henry put it this way:
He had reason to say that Jonathan’s love to him was wonderful; surely never was the like, for a man to love one who he knew was to take the crown over his head, and to be so faithful to his rival: this far surpassed the highest degree of conjugal affect and constancy.
But, I would add even more. Jonathan had an extraordinary love for God. He knew it was God’s will for David to be king instead of his father or him. Without grieving any personal loss, he was all in to support God’s man and love him.
Jonathan is such a great example for us in love that leads to self denial and sacrifice. It is how Jesus Followers should live. 1 Corinthians 13 (the “love chapter”) says that love does not insist on its own way. Philippians 2:3 says “…in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”.
Believers and churches witness best to their communities when they show love, humility, and self sacrifice.
And it is pleasing to God!
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