2 Samuel 1:4 …“The men fled from battle….Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”
Saul and Jonathan were killed in the battle with the Philistines, the same battle that David was eager to fight in to prove his loyalty to the Philistines, the same battle the God barred him from fighting, which led a dejected David back to Ziklag, which led him to avenge the loss of property and kidnapping of persons against the Amalekite’s, which all, somehow, led David back to the feet of the Lord.
2 Samuel 1:11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them.
Both the commentary for 2 Samuel 1 and today’s devotional in The Upper Room sent me to Genesis 50:20 this morning: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” There is so much going on in the world right now that can (and sadly does) lead me to bitterness, but God has used my time with David to reinforce that bitterness is not the path He wants me to walk, that no matter why humans act or react the way they do, no matter what evil they may intend, God is bigger, stronger, mightier, and sovereign, and He can use it for good as long as I keep my heart focused on Him.
2 Samuel 1:12 They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and for the nation of Israel….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for seeing my heart and understanding where I am right now. Thank You for the reminder that I am working for You, with You, and in You, that my help comes from You, as does my reward. Help me to focus solely on You. Always. Use everything in my life for Your glory. Amen.
2 Samuel 1:17-18 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow….
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.