following the rather strange event of the appearance of Samuel via the outlawed medium/soothsayer.
As we enter into a new era and a new book in 2 Samuel chapter 1, we see the
response of David to the death of the King (his father in law) who had wanted to kill him, had
chased him out of his home and his job, and had given his first wife to another man!
The same King who had chased him across hill and dale with his
army to destroy David and his men.
As we enter into a new era and a new book in 2 Samuel chapter 1, we see the
response of David to the death of the King (his father in law) who had wanted to kill him, had
chased him out of his home and his job, and had given his first wife to another man!
The same King who had chased him across hill and dale with his
army to destroy David and his men.
David even suggested that Saul's men were saying that he should go and worship other gods!
These things would surely have placed David in a very difficult position, and would have
caused a lesser man to celebrate that "The King is dead!".
Indeed the king was dead and David now knew that the person who had sought to kill him
had been moved aside, and his life was no longer under threat.
So what was David's response to the tremendous news? It was this the "Song of the Bow", which he wanted others to learn that they might speak and sing it out too.
(2 Sam 1:14-27) So David said to him, "How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?"
(15) Then David called one of the young men and said, "Go near, and execute him!" And he struck him
so that he died.
so that he died.
(16) So David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.' "
(17) Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son,
(18) and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of
Jasher:
Jasher:
(19) "The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
(20) Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon- Lest the daughters of the Philistines
rejoice, Lest thedaughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
(21) "O mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, Nor fields of offerings. For the shield
of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
(22) From the blood of the slain, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of
Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.
(23) "Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not
of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
(22) From the blood of the slain, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of
Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.
(23) "Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not
divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.
(24) "O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; Who put
ornaments of gold on your apparel.
(25) "How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was slain in your high places.
(26) I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was
wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.
wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.
(27) "How the mighty have fallen,And the weapons of war perished!"
So David, instead of rejoicing at the death of his king and accuser, lamented and showed great sorrow at this death.
So David, instead of rejoicing at the death of his king and accuser, lamented and showed great sorrow at this death.
- How did he do that?
- What can we learn from all this?
- What is our response when the trials and tribulations come along?
- Do we cast our eyes to the ground, or do we lift our voice to praise our King?
I know that in my own life I have too often sought to put things right in my own strength, and have
held thoughts of anger toward the circumstance I find myself in.
But Oh, that we would have the heart of David. That we might see what the Lord is working
out is a plan in our lives, and that the very things which we feel are weighing us
down are not in fact troubles sent by the enemy, but training weights from the Lord.
down are not in fact troubles sent by the enemy, but training weights from the Lord.
It seems to me, men, that our life is not something to be endured as punishing series of fights
with a heavy weight boxer, so much as it could be seen as a long distance obstacle
course with the Lord there to help and guide us through those tough parts of the course.
I cannot truly understand all that the Lord puts us through, but I do know that often
I cannot truly understand all that the Lord puts us through, but I do know that often
as I look back at the tough parts of my life it seems it was then I grew the most and drew
closer to Our Lord. Men I hope and pray that during our times of difficulty you and I may be able
closer to Our Lord. Men I hope and pray that during our times of difficulty you and I may be able
to lift our voices in praises to Our King.
May the Lord bless you men as you seek His face in the midst of circumstance.
YIH
Kieron
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