The Response of Saul’s Death
September 12, 2019
Commentary
In spike of all that Saul had done in trying to kill David for many years, David did not rejoice when he learned of his death. He had every reason to hate Saul, but he chose not to. Instead he chose to look at all the good Saul had done and ignore the times when Saul had attacked him. He decided to write a poem and put it to music, expressing the grief and sorrow over the deaths of Saul and his son Jonathan (vv. 17-18). The title of this whole poem was, “The bow.” In it he refers poetically to Saul and Jonathan as glorious heroes who were the means of salvation from the Philistines. David loved Jonathan as a brother and he would have given his own life for him if he could have. Music played an important role in history of Israel. David was a talented musician. He played the harp (I Sam. 16:23) and brought music into the services of the temple.
He called for Mt. Gilboa to remain barren to mark the tragedy (vv. 19-22). There the royal shields were defiled in spite of the fact that both Saul and Jonathan had been valiant in battle. David’s lament continued by describing the loving relationship between Saul and Jonathan in life (vv 23-24). They were not separated in their death. David described their physical prowess as “swifter than eagles” and “stronger than lions.” The lament concluded with a special word about Jonathan (vv. 25-27). David was especially distressed over the death of this man that he considered a “brother.” His relationship with Jonathan brought David more satisfaction and joy than a relationship with any woman.
Application
It takes courage to lay aside hatred and hurt and to respect the positive side of someone who has deeply hurt you. Can I think of someone I need to do this with as David did?
2 Samuel 1:17– 27 (NET)
17 Then David chanted this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan. 18 (He gave instructions that the people of Judah should be taught “The Bow.” Indeed, it is written down in the Scroll of the Upright One.)
19 “The beauty of Israel lies slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
20 Don’t report it in Gath, don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!
21 O mountains of Gilboa, may there be no dew or rain on you, nor fields of grain offerings! For it was there that the shield of warriors was defiled; the shield of Saul lies neglected without oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors, the bow of Jonathan was not turned away. The sword of Saul never returned empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were greatly loved during their lives, and not even in their deaths were they separated. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewelry, who put gold jewelry on your clothes.
25 How the warriors have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places!
26 I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan. You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women.
27 How the warriors have fallen! The weapons of war are destroyed!