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- Oct 26, 2007
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Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, 2 Samuel 1:17 NLT
When King Saul and his son Jonathan died in battle, many things changed for David. His anointing to be king would now be fulfilled. He could stop running from the paranoid Saul. And he would no longer enjoy his beloved Jonathan—the kind of friend by which all future companions would be measured.
It’s not surprising the poetic David would honor Jonathan in song. Less expected are his words of praise for Jonathan’s dad. David sang, “The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work… O women of Israel, weep for Saul” (2 Samuel 1:22, 24).
How could David honor a man who had often sought his life? By recognizing God’s stamp on Saul. When he learned that a foreigner in Israel’s army had finished off the wounded leader, David responded, “Why were you not afraid to kill the LORD’s anointed one?” David asked (2 Samuel 1:14). He repeated “LORD’s anointed one” in justifying the soldier’s execution (v16).
Every person we meet is stamped by God, made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Whether friend, enemy, or something in between, let’s view them as David did Saul…as important to God. It may not change their attitude toward us, but it will diminish the tension in our souls.
Prayer: Lord, I know I’m important to You. Help me to see others the same way.
When King Saul and his son Jonathan died in battle, many things changed for David. His anointing to be king would now be fulfilled. He could stop running from the paranoid Saul. And he would no longer enjoy his beloved Jonathan—the kind of friend by which all future companions would be measured.
It’s not surprising the poetic David would honor Jonathan in song. Less expected are his words of praise for Jonathan’s dad. David sang, “The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work… O women of Israel, weep for Saul” (2 Samuel 1:22, 24).
How could David honor a man who had often sought his life? By recognizing God’s stamp on Saul. When he learned that a foreigner in Israel’s army had finished off the wounded leader, David responded, “Why were you not afraid to kill the LORD’s anointed one?” David asked (2 Samuel 1:14). He repeated “LORD’s anointed one” in justifying the soldier’s execution (v16).
Every person we meet is stamped by God, made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Whether friend, enemy, or something in between, let’s view them as David did Saul…as important to God. It may not change their attitude toward us, but it will diminish the tension in our souls.
Prayer: Lord, I know I’m important to You. Help me to see others the same way.
