David Laments the Death of Saul and HIs Sons

II Samuel 1

Outline

1-10 | An Amalekite lies to David about killing Saul
11-16 | David mourns the death of Saul, Jonathan, and the other Israelites and has the Amalekite executed
17-27 | David’s wrote a song lamenting the deaths of Saul and Jonathan

Reflections

David is informed of the death of Saul, Jonathan, and Saul’s other sons two days after returning from defeating the Amalekites and is recovering in Ziklag.  David mourns for Saul and his sons until evening and then calls for the messenger who brought news of Saul’s death.

This person, an Amalekite, claimed to be the one who took the injured Saul’s life, probably thought that he would be rewarded for claiming to have taken the life of Saul but instead is executed.  This is consist with David because he refused to kill Saul on numerous occasions when he had the opportunity.  The reason David gives for having the Amalekite executed is the same reason he always refused to take Saul’s life.

2 Samuel 1:15-16 NASB And David called one of the young men and said, “Go, cut him down.” So he struck him and he died. 16 David said to him, “Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’S anointed.'”

in reality, greed was his downfall.  He was seeking to ingratiate himself to David but he didn’t really know David or what motivated him–honoring God.  He probably thought he would be rewarded or some special honor given to him, and in a sense it was.

David’s attitude of not wanting to take the life of the Lord’s anointed is a good example for us to consider in our own lives.  Remember God said that vengeance belong to Him.  It is not ours to execute in His place.

Leviticus 19:18 NASB ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 32:35 NASB  ‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.’

Proverbs 25:21-22 NASB If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

Matthew 5:43-45 NASB “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Luke 6:26-38 NASB “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way. 27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Romans 12:17-21 NASB Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Hebrews 10:29-31 NASB How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Lord, help us to have the same attitude as David with regard to others, especially Your leaders and anointed ones.  Help us to be people who encourage others to follow after You and honor You in their lives.  May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

2 Samuel 1 - David Laments the Death of Saul and His Sons
2 Samuel 1 - David Laments the Death of Saul and His Sons
2Samuel_01_RL_DavidLamentsTheDeathOfSaulAndHisSons.pdf
52.7 KB
232 Downloads
Details