David lamented over Saul and Jonathan, expressing his heartfelt sympathy for the LORD’s anointed and his son, slain together in battle, but especially for Jonathan whom he loved as a brother with a love greater than that for his wives.v.26Waiting for response for 2 Samuel 1:26 Most people of the time would have been amazed at David’s reaction to the death of the enemy who sought to kill him and whose life prevented him sitting on the throne of Israel, but those who serve the LORD develop characters which lead them to behave in ways bemusing to others in the world. It is not natural to “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”, as Jesus commanded. Matthew 5:44Waiting for response for Matthew 5:44 Nevertheless, those who hope to receive the promises of God, as David did, suppress their natural inclinations and act like both David and Jesus, doing God's will by doing his commandments.
Verses 1-16
Waiting for response for 2 Samuel 1:1-16It may have been thought that David would have rejoiced at the news of Saul’s death because it seemed to his personal advantage. Indeed, an Amalekite thought he would receive a reward by bringing this “good news” to David, even embellishing the account by claiming that he himself had slain king Saul, hoping to receiving even greater reward. This was grossly to misjudge David’s character. He was not seeking personal advancement, but to do the LORD’s will. He acknowledged that Saul was the LORD’s anointed and wished him no harm, even though Saul continually tried to kill him, and he loved Jonathan, who also had been killed, as a brother. Therefore, after great mourning and weeping for Saul and Jonathan,v.12Waiting for response for 2 Samuel 1:12 he brought the reward of the Amalekite’s action upon his own head. vs.14-16Waiting for response for 2 Samuel 1:14-16