In this chapter David hears of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, and proceeds to lament and mourn over them.
” ‘Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.’ ” (v19-20,23-26)
Hearing of Israel’s terrible loss, David and his men in Ziklag mourn, fast, and lament. The verses above are excerpts from a lamentation of David, which was to be written in the Book of Jasher (ie. Book of the Upright) and taught to all of Judah. Why would David want such a lament / song recorded forever? So people would remember the tragedy, probably in the hopes that nobody would repeat Saul’s mistakes / sins.
There’s an interesting line in the lament that states “my brother Jonathan; … your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women”. It’s interesting because we know David enjoys the company of ladies (he marries eight wives in total I think), yet, this relationship with Jonathan was absolutely unique, irreplaceable, and more esteemed than David’s other relationships to date.
It is this kind of love that God wants for us to have with those around us – a love which transcends any differences we may have, and heals all transgressions. There are dozens of verses on how we are to love one another, including this famous command from Jesus: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:34-35)
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Cor 13:4-8a) Though commonly used at modern weddings, this passage was originally instructing the church in Corinth on how to treat others with a Christlike love.
My encouragement for today is to love those around you as Jesus loves us. I recognize how hard that is, because there are some people who are hard to love (I’m one of them at times), and we cannot do this on our own. That’s one of the reasons why God gives us His Holy Spirit, because love is the first Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Let’s embrace God’s gift of love, and do our best to love those around us with the strength and guidance the Spirit provides. We won’t be flawless at it, however, love forgives wrongs and is not resentful, so let’s take the (minimal) risk.
Father God, our Mighty Lord and King, You are majestic beyond compare. Thank you for sending Your Spirit to teach us how to love those around us. We are called to love each other as Jesus loves us, and we admit this is something we cannot do without Your help. Please strengthen and guide us on this mission to spread the love of Jesus throughout this world. May we forgive quickly, offend infrequently, and love generously. In the name of Jesus our Savior and Redeemer, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training