How Are the Mighty Fallen

2015-12-17

So how do you love your enemies?

In 2 Samuel 1:17-27, we see David’s lamentation over King Saul and the king’s son Jonathan. You may think that it is a bit odd to lament over a man who sought your life! David spent much time on the run from Saul, but we see even when he dies, David shows nothing but respect for the king. Let us look at some of the highlights of this lamentation.

In 2 Samuel 1:20, we see that David does not want their defeat and shame proclaimed in the enemy territory. In the next verse, David even seemingly commands Gilboa, the place where Saul and Jonathan were slain (1 Samuel 31:1), to mourn the loss of these men. No blessing could replace their loss; they were cast away as if they were nothing, though he was the LORD’s anointed (2 Samuel 1:16). There is great tragedy when we see God’s people destroyed by the world (cf. Acts 12:2).

Saul and Jonathan were “lovely and pleasant in their lives” (2 Samuel 1:23), and David praises their bravery. He recognizes that Saul made his country prosperous (2 Samuel 1:24). Not once did David remember the trying times where Saul chased him across the country to slay him. This shows David’s respect for God’s choice of king, and his love for his enemies. We automatically think of Jesus’ command to love our enemies, and see this command lived out here (Matthew 5:44).

Jonathan, on the other hand, was David’s close friend, and we see that their friendship was closer even than that of his wife (2 Samuel 1:26). What a loss that must have been. We see this special tribute to Jonathan, remembering their friendship.