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"An Ode To A Lost King"
• 10.3.15 •
Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro
- The book that we are about to begin studying
is actually the book we've been studying! The difference is that the book
before us is centralized upon the person of David.
- The shepherd boy, turned national hero,
turned enemy of the state, is about to be the one undisputed King over the
nation. It begins right where we left off.
Text
• II Samuel 1:1,2 : "Now
it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the
slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag, on
the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul’s camp with his
clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he
fell to the ground and prostrated himself." : Life
is only now beginning to resemble "normal" in Ziklag.
- In all of the hustle and excitment of the
last few days, it might even be feasible that the people lost focus of the fact
that a major battle had ensued between Philistia and Israel.
- David's men had turned their attention to
their families and their homes, which had been temporarily violated by the
opportunistic Amalekites.
-
That third day brought a surprise as this man came into Ziklag and presented
himself before David. He had been at Saul's camp and his clothing and demeanor
betrayed bad, even tragic news.
- Tearing of the clothing illustrated the
breaking of the heart, while dust on their head conveyed a desire to be near
the ground.
- His position before David reveals a bit about
why he traveled to Ziklag. His prostration was an acknowledgment of David's
Kingdom.
• I Samuel
1:3,4 : "And David said to him, 'Where have you come from?' So he said to
him, 'I have escaped from the camp of Israel.' Then David said to him, 'How did
the matter go? Please tell me.' And he answered, 'The people have fled from the
battle, many of the people are fallen and dead, and Saul and Jonathan his son
are dead also.'" : When the man reported where
he had come from, David eagerly inquired about the state of affairs in Saul's
camp. This is the ancient version of breaking news!
- One imagines David absorbing the thought that
Israel had been defeated by the Philistines. Those that hadn't fled, had fallen.
That was enough of a blow to his heart.
- Israel was once again facing a prolonged
struggle to re-take what God had given them.
- When the man continued and reported Saul and
Jonathan's death, the news was now completely surreal. "How could it have
gone that way?"
- Consider the thoughts that you might have had
had you been in David's sandals. First, from the standpoint of safety, the man
who had been your enemy for the untold past was dead.
- Saul had pursued David relentlessly, hunting
him across every piece of wilderness that Israel possessed. That season of life
was now conclusively over.
- But, Saul had also been the living symbol of
God's rule over His people! There was now a vacuum of leadership. David, being
a true shepherd must have turned his attention to Kingdom duty.
- Truly, Saul's death announcement was
bittersweet, but when it came to Jonathan, it was all bitterness! David's best
friend had been the first to support God's vision for his life.
- Jonathan almost literally had given David his
first proper Kingdom clothes from his own back!
- At the lowest moments in David's life,
Jonathan had come to lift his spirits and to refocus his vision on God's
promises. Jonathan's death was all sadness for David. He continues his
interview.
•
II Samuel 1:5-12 : "So David said to the young man who
told him, 'How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?' Then the young man who told him said,
'As I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa, there was Saul, leaning on his
spear; and indeed the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. Now when he looked behind him, he saw me and
called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ And
he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ So I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ He said to me again, ‘Please stand over me and kill me, for
anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.’ So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that
he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his
head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my
lord.' Therefore David took hold of his own
clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul
and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by
the sword." : The Amalekite gives his full
story, which paints himself in a very favorable light.
-
Before we look further at what the Amalekite says, let's review what we have
already seen at the end of the book of First
Samuel, at the least in a summary fashion.
-
The Philistines had surrounded Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa. Saul's sons all
died defending him and eventually, Saul was hit by the Philistine arrows that
would extinguish his life.
-
Realizing that he was going to die, Saul asked his armorbearer to end his life,
lest the Philistines abuse and torture him before ultimately killing him.
-
When his armorbearer refused, Saul fell upon his sword. Verse 5 is the pivotal phrase.
•
I Samuel 31:5 : "And when his armorbearer saw that
Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him." : I
Chronicles 10:1-6, with little deviance, declares the same thing. Saul
committed suicide on Mt. Gilboa. This is a matter of official record.
-
Many have concerned themselves with this apparent contradiction, but the
inclusion and accurate transmission of the Amalekite's lie, does not alter the
fact given in scripture.
-
What the Amalekite truly did was beat the Philistines to the area of Saul's
death and simply pillaged the scene. It was then that he recognized a golden
opportunity.
-
He could present a story of a mercy killing that would ingratiate him to the
future King of Israel, who would no doubt, reward him. In his mind, he has
covered all of his bases.
-
He only "happened" to come upon Saul and Jonathan. Saul even begged
him to kill him and since he was suffering and already going to die, this was a
merciful and kind act.
-
Bringing the King's jewelry to David proved that he wasn't out for himself and
David would no doubt be flattered that the Amalekite brought the King's effects
to their rightful owner.
-
It was an airtight plot but it produced something far different than expected. His
news was not what these men wished to hear!
-
Just as he extends the King's crown and the bracelet, the men, realizing now
that Saul had really died, produced a state of mourning, David, Public Enemy
#1, leading the way!
-
Here is man who has hunted David for untold years, perhaps even a decade, and
David's response at the news of his death was to mourn his loss!
-
Saul hated David and chased him, hoping to wipe him off of the Earth. David
never reciprocated. He never took on a heart that matched Saul's.
-
For all the moments that could betray a wicked heart, it would have been this
one! But when gloating or boasting would have been easily excused, David
properly mourned Saul's loss!
-
All of Israel will read this and know that David was never out to get Saul, a
point powerfully proven by this emotional display! Apart from David, note the
fruit of his leadership!
-
All the men that were with him did the same! Certainly, these men who were not
going to ascend to the throne and should have been happy to hear of Saul's demise.
-
No more cave dwelling. No more living in Philistia. "We are friends of the
King!" Not a hint!
-
They were just as broken at the sound of this news! David had not simply led
them safely throughout the desert. He had led them to embrace a godly heart and
perspective!
-
This wasn't how they began their journey with David. They had first come to
David as dissidents. I Samuel 22:2
tells us that they were in the "Triple D" club!
-
They were in distress, in debt and discontent with Saul's policies. When the
occasion came for David to destroy Saul, they had vocally pushed for Saul's
demise!
-
In I Samuel 24 and 26 respectively, David's men called
upon him to take advantage of his position over Saul and David refused,
teaching them repeatedly that Saul's death was God's duty.
-
It took some time and teaching, but eventually, these men took on the character
of their leader. That is what is supposed to happen!
-
As with David's men, as you follow Christ, you will increasingly take on His
heart. As you spend time in His presence and with His Word, you will see
yourself sounding and acting like Him!
-
Just after the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, when the religious leaders heard
Peter and John reasoning with them in Acts
4, they concluded that these disciples had radically changed.
•
Acts 4:13 : "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized
that they had been with Jesus." : Being with Jesus will
naturally transform your character. Consider the account of Stephen's
martyrdom. What were his final words?
•
Acts 7:60 : "Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do
not charge them with this sin.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep." : Where had Stephen learned to forgive his unjust murderers? His
Master Jesus had done the same thing!
-
Let me be very clear: If you see something contrary to Christ in your character
and you are content to let it be, you, at the very least are missing the point
and at the worst, are not saved!
-
God's life in you, through His Holy Spirit, brings about a change that will be
seen by all!
-
David's men mourned and wept and fasted as much as David did! They beat their
chests and cried continually and wouldn't allow food to comfort them. What a
sight to see!
-
The Amalekite had to be confused by this display as they erupted and maintained
their mourning for the rest of that day. Their mourning came in waves.
-
They mourned first over Saul, Israel's first King. To some extent, their
mourning was likely directed to what could and should have been.
-
He had been given all that a man could need for a prolonged and righteous reign.
He was given the keys to the Kingdom and the best possible staff to lead God's
people, but he wasted it.
-
And then there was Jonathan, a man in the prime of his life, a noble warrior of
God.
-
Jonathan was admired in the camp of David and he would have been a welcomed
ally.
-
Then, They mourned for the people of the Lord. Who would lead them back to
their inheritance? Who would be their champion? These were their friends who
had been scattered!
-
They mourned for the house of Israel, the military men who had risen to defend
Israel from the Philistines. These men were like themselves and were now either
dead or scared into hiding.
•
II Samuel 1:13-17 : "Then David said to the young man who told him, 'Where are you
from?' And he answered, 'I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.' So David said
to him, 'How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the
Lord’s anointed?' Then David called one of the young men and said, 'Go near,
and execute him!' And he struck him so that he died. So David said to him, 'Your
blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you,
saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’" : After
the day had passed, David returns to question the Amalekite wondering where
this man had come from nationally.
-
How could he be ignorant of David's policies? How could he have the gall to
take the life of God's annointed!
-
The Amalekite had made a claim regarding David's enemy. He expected a reward.
David considered his action a crime against the Lord, worthy of execution.
-
"Your own mouth has testified against you!" David had him executed on
the spot. His claim and his possession of evidence was enough to condemn him.
-
The precedent is set in stone. There will be no favor or reward for men like
this.
•
II Samuel 1:18-20 : " Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over
Jonathan his son, and he told them to teach the children of Judah the
Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher: 'The
beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell
it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon—Lest the daughters
of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph." : After dealing with the Amalekite, David took his personal pain
over Saul and Jonathan and wrote a song.
-
The book of Jasher that it was found in, is a large, 91 chapter apocryphal book
referenced here and in Joshua 10:13.
The song is meant to teach Judah why they should mourn over Saul.
-
What would you expect from David's song about Saul? The Amalekite and men like
him would have expected a song filled with rage and boasting. You won't find
that here.
-
From beginning to end, David speaks favorably toward the man that hunted him
for a decade of his life. He begins first by focusing on his beauty.
-
The word "beauty" is close in the Hebrew to a word used for a Roebuck
or a gazelle.
-
David speaks in a metaphorical sense comparing the glory of Saul's Kingdom to
the glory of this animal in it's habitat. Saul was a magnificent man to David
and a mighty man in his eyes.
-
In a desire to protect their reputations, David calls out to God to keep the
news from spreading to Israel's enemies. He doesn't want them to have an
occasion to blaspheme God.
•
II Samuel 1:21-23: "O mountains of Gilboa, let there be
no dew nor rain upon you, nor fields of offerings. For
the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The
shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. From
the blood of the slain, from the fat of the
mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
and the sword of Saul did not return empty. Saul
and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they
were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions." : Next, David focuses on Saul and Jonathan's battle saavy.
-
He turns his attention to the place of their final battle. Let the mountains of
Gilboa reflect the sadness of David's heart by being barren, a place of
desolation.
-
At least one commentator mentioned that Gilboa is a place that is just like
this, in that it is cursed with barrenness! David's eyes survey those final
moments mentally.
-
Saul cast away his shield for the last time to employ both hands for battle and
Jonathan stood his ground against the strongest men.
-
On that final day, David sees Saul's sword hitting it's marks. They stood
unified, swift and strong in those final moments!
-
They were men's men and they were loved in their life! They died supporting one
another, as they weren't divided from each other. They dealt valiantly in their
lives, according to David.
• II Samuel
1:23-27 : "O
daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury;
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. How the mighty have fallen in the midst
of the battle! Jonathan was slain in your high places. I am distressed for you,
my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was
wonderful, surpassing the love of women. How the
mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!'" : David finally speaks of the benefit that Saul and Jonathan
afforded Israel.
- Saul may have been a rejected King. He may
have been a wicked man, but David could say truthfully, that he brought Israel
a better quality of life.
- The women had scarlet colored clothes, an
expensive textile. The people of Israel enjoyed other delights and gold was a
part of their regular outfits because of Saul's administration.
- Saul had provided an economic boost to the
nation and the people benefitted greatly! David turns at last to Jonathan, who
had benefitted David personally.
- Can you see him just crying out, "How
the mighty have fallen?" How was this possible? Jonathan was slain in the
place of his defense!
- Jonathan was more than a friend. He was a
brother to David, one whose love was better than that of a married
relationship!
- Some with perverse minds seek to superimpose
an endorsement of homosexuality here, but do so only by doing violence to the
text. David is thinking about a brother in battle!
- As great as the marriage relationship is, a
brother who is protecting your life with his own life far surpasses the love of
women in that moment.
- It's not more enjoyable. It's merely the most
meaningful in that moment. David looked at Jonathan and thought of how he, of
all the people in the world, would have taken a "bullet" for him.
Conclusion
- As we close, this passage rebukes any notion that
we might carry, which justifies ungodly attitudes in the light of ungodly
treatment.
- Saul became David's enemy, but David could
still choose not to make Saul his! Bitterness, anger and resentment are chosen,
not for us, but by us!
- What comes out in our text is David's choice
to focus on that which was good about Saul. It may have been hard to find, but
it would have been harder to live with the weight of bitterness.
- In David's song, he chose to focus on Saul's
beauty, battle saavy and benefit for the people. It helps that Jonathan was
factored in, but David genuinely mourned for his predecessor.
- Can you and I not do the same? Can we not
cooperate with God's indwelling Holy Spirit by focusing on that which is
praiseworthy about anyone?
- The Son of God died at the hands of hateful
men for sins He didn't commit. When they spit on Him and hurled their insults
toward Him, He said, "Father forgive them."
- Had He held unforgiveness, your sins would
have held you from Him! But in the end, He refused to hold bitterness so that
you could be free to make the same choice! May we see it so!
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