Ever wondered how and why David could say Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives? That's in 2 Samuel 1:23. I can accept it if it was directed at Jonathan who was akin a brother and a buddy to David. But King Saul who wanted to take David's life and brought him much fear and sorrow?
David Learns of Saul's Death
1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. 3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4 And David said unto him, How #1# went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? 6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. #1# 8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish #1# is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 12 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. 13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord's anointed? 15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. 16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed.
David's Lament over Saul and Jonathan
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher. #1# 19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant #1# in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. 26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
It would have been easier for David to say good things about Jonathan that he could not of King Saul.
Yet, David chose to ignore the faults and failures of King Saul and instead commended what was good; of his courage, his military prowess and his prosperous kingdom. Verses 21-24.
Kind of make me think, if I could likewise be gracious to my adversaries, those perpetrators of sarcasm over my posts/blogs and some other unwarranted comments. Upon reflecting how often have I brooded over and judged the flaws and shortcomings of my opponents and more so, how often have I been offended when others have found good in those who have harmed me?
Not surprising, how much one dwells on the bad seen in others rather than the good that God and others can see. God in the equation as He sees us with new mercies everyday and the righteousness of Christ, not ours.Clearly, the bible is explicit in 1 Corinthians 4:5, we need to leave judgement in the hand of the Lord, for when Jesus returns, He will reveal the counsels of the hearts of mankind. Then each one's praise will come from God Himself.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Are we focusing on the traits that make our opponents/perpetrators so unlikeable today? Accentuating the positive qualities of those who trouble us is a good way to deal with resentment, and to transform our hatred and unforgiveness into love.
We're told to love our enemies who in this life we face, for showing love that's not deserved, reveals to them God's grace.
Don't you think it is hard to hate someone when you compliment them?
Matthew 5: 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
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