The Book of second Samuel

Chapter 1

[1] Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

1) Battlefront News

A. David Returns (1)

Saul and his sons have died in the battle w/ Philistines (but David doesn’t know this yet)

David has returned to Ziklag after the slaughter of the Amalekites (I Sam 30)

The Amalekites had burned his home city (Ziklag) and taken families of David & his men

God gave David victory over Amalek. Everyone and everything lost, was reclaimed

Now David is back in Ziklag (though burned down) for 2 days

[2] It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
[3] And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
[4] And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
[5] And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
[6] And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
[7] And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
[8] And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
[9] And he said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
[10] So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

B. Deadly Report (2-10)

A man w/ clothes torn and dust on his head comes to David and falls before him

This man is from the camp of Israel, where the battle is being fought w/ Philistines

He reports that King Saul and Jonathon are dead along with many others who have fallen

David asks “how do you know?”

The man says “I was there, I saw Saul mortally wounded”

“Saul asked who I was, since I was an Amalekite & not a Philstine, he begged me to die”

“I slew him and took his crown and bracelet and I present them to you David”

* Remember Saul was told he would loose the kingdom over his disobedience to utterly destroy

The Amalekites. Now an Amalekite finishes Saul. (Saul failed to deal with the flesh)

[11] Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
[12] And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

C. Distressed Reaction (11,12)

David was broken to hear the sad news. David’s men were grieved to hear this report as well

David and those with him rend their garments, they mourn, weep & fast

They are distressed over the deaths of Saul, Jonathon, God’s People and Israel

[13] And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
[14] And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
[15] And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
[16] And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed.

D. Devout Reward (13-16)

David asks “who are you?” to the man w/ the bad report.

Thinking he is about to be rewarded, he quickly responds “an Amalekite”

David asks “how were you not afraid to destroy God’s annointed?”....... No response (flesh)

David orders this man to be slain...(his blood on his own head for his actions & testimony

You might call this retribution.... He got what he deserved.... a punishment... a penalty for sin

What about reconciliation? Nothing too hard for God... YES but no remorse, no response

But preacher I did respond and God did forgive.....Could I still be punished?

You better plead for mercy!! The alcoholic got saved, but cirrhosis of liver still came

The thief got saved, but still died on the cross over his actions

You better plead for mercy!!**Especially when you transgress HOLY ANOINTED things

Woe to the ONE who sets their hand to hurt or destroy God’s Anointed Appointed Leader

[17] And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

2) Beautiful News

A. Demonstrating Reason (17)

Saul is dead..out of hatred, jealousy & ungodliness Saul took away David’s family, home, career

Years of David’s life are irreplaceably gone.... David’s rival is no more!!!

BUT rather than celebrate David & his men mourn (Vs 12)

This DEMONSTRATES hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness are all CHOSEN!!!

As much as Saul did against David, David chose to be better rather than bitter (he led others)

[18] (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
[19] The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
[20] Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
[21] Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
[22] From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
[23] Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
[24] Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
[25] How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou was slain in thine high places.
[26] I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
[27] How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

B. Determined Respect (18-27)

David’s sorrow was sincere. He composes “The Song of the Bow” (Vs 17-27)

Expressing David’s love toward Saul (didn’t hurt Saul w/sword, w/words OR w/ heart)

19- Beauty in Saul (not physical) 20-Don’t rejoice in Saul’s death 21- Mourn over Saul

22,23-Praised Saul as a mighty warrior 24- Noted the good in Saul

How the mighty have fallen is mentioned 3 times...

Saul fell way before, hardening his heart to God’s message

Vs 25-27 David notes his deep godly love for his friend, Jonathon ( I Sam 18:1-4)

How can David respect Saul, much less love Saul, do this after being wronged and sinned against?

He trusted God’s ability to take terrible things & work them for good I Cor 13:5, I Pet 4:8