2 Samuel 1:11-12: David's Reaction: Mourning For Saul
“Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 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.”
- 2 Samuel 1:11-12 (KJV)
“David took hold of his clothes and rent them:” When David heard of Saul's death he mourned. We might have expected celebration at the death of this great enemy and rival, but David mourned.
Out of pure jealousy, hatred, spite, and ungodliness Saul took away David's family, home, career, security, and the best years of David's life, and Saul was utterly unrepentant to the end. Yet David “mourned and wept and fasted” when he learned of Saul's death.
This powerfully demonstrates that our hatred and bitterness and unforgiveness are chosen, not imposed on us. As much as Saul did against David, he chose to become better instead of bitter.
“And likewise all the men who were with him:” These men had their own reasons to hate Saul, but they followed the example of their leader David and answered all Saul's hatred and venom with love.
“For Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel,” David's sorrow was first for Saul, but it was also for his great and close friend Jonathan. More than that, it was for the people of God as a whole, who were in a dangerous and desperate place in light of the death of the king and the defeat by the Philistines.
David heard this life-changing news - the throne of Israel was now vacant, and it seemed that the royal anointing he received some 20 years before might now be fulfilled with the crown set on his head. Nevertheless, David expressed little thought of himself.
Remember, every promise Our Heavenly Father makes comes true; in His time!
God bless!
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