Today you should read: 2 Samuel 1
For an overview of the book we’re about to dive in, watch this Bible project video briefly recapping & reviewing 2 Samuel.
2 Samuel follows 1 Samuel where we see David’s relationship between his best friend Jonathan and his father, the king of Israel, Saul, who was trying to kill David out of jealousy and envy. The first chapter starts off with someone reporting to David the deaths of the other two main characters in 1 Samuel. Most of this chapter we see how David grieves and laments the two after hearing such news.
This shouldn’t be surprising regarding the loss of Jonathan, since they were described as close friends who at different times both sacrificed for each other and protected each other. In fact, Jonathan had literally saved David’s life when his own father was out to kill David. Which leads us to the more surprising grief we see from David over the death of Saul.
Multiple times Saul went after David and David couldn’t even defend himself, knowing that God didn’t want David to take the life of the anointed king but to allow God to be the judge and defender of his sinful actions. So in David’s obedience to God he ran away from Saul’s pursuit, said goodbye to his best friend and knowing that he was the next anointed king, waited patiently for God’s timing. Which would make one think that he would be celebrating in the midst of this mourning with Saul now gone but he doesn’t. In fact look at verses 23-24, where he even encourages others to weep over Saul. We can learn from David here as he has compassion on his enemies and was obedient to the very end of God’s command to not touch the anointed king. And when we have deep community and fellowship with God’s family like David did with Jonathan, let us also mourn and grieve those lost relationships on earth, knowing there’s an eternity with them after.
By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor
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