Read: 2 Samuel 1:17-27
David’s extreme sadness over the deaths of King Saul, his would-be assassin, (1 Samuel.19-34:1-2) and his son Jonathan manifested in a poignantly expressed lamentation. Saul’s death was not something to be declared for the rejoicing of the enemies. It should be a cause for mourning for all of his people because, with his death, Israel was dishonored. It was remembering the greatness of Saul and Jonathan as warriors, though they lost in the battle. It was a call for the daughters of Israel to mourn as a memorial to the great things Saul did for them. David greatly mourned for his friend Jonathan, whom he took as a brother. Probably he found women wanting in his multiple marriages; he found Jonathan’s brotherly love more profound than his wives’ love for him.
Thought to ponder
From this passage, we may derive the idea that while we see the bad side of a person, we should be open to seeing his or her positive side. Though David experienced Saul’s harshness towards him, he recognized him as a valiant warrior who fought for his people. Here, we also see the profundity of his love for two people, though they had opposing sentiments for him.
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
(Romans 15:7 )
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (James 2:1)
Prayer
Our God and Father in heaven, make us compassionate for all persons who suffer misfortune, even those who did us wrong. Help us to obey Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. May we extend equal love to people who are pleasant and to people who are unpleasant to us. Amen
