Faithfulness: Lament
The Love of Enemies and the Love of Friends
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Rev. Tim Callow
Preached Sun. June 27th, 2021
David became a very successful soldier in King Saul’s service. So successful the women would sing, “Saul killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” This made Saul jealous, and paranoid. If they say Saul killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands, he thought to himself, how much longer before they give David the Kingdom? So he turned against David from that point on. He’d throw his spear at David when an evil spirit overtook him. At times he would set his heart to arrest and execute David. At one point David fled to Ramah, where the prophet Samuel had retired.
Jonathan, Saul’s son, found David there. Jonathan and David were close. We are told at least twice that Jonathan loved David as his own self. Jesus tells us one of the greatest commandments is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Jonathan’s love for David, and David’s love for Jonathan was that great. They would give themselves up for each other, because they saw each other as an extension of their own self.
David tried to explain to Jonathan what King Saul had planned for him, but Jonathan couldn’t believe it. His father always roped him in when it came to his plans. If Saul wanted David dead now, he would have run it by Jonathan. So David proposes a plan, to make sure Saul’s heart is set against him. He tells Jonathan he will not attend the feast at the New Moon. Instead, he will wait at Ramah. But if Saul asks where he is, he tells Jonathan, let Saul know he has gone home to Bethlehem to sacrifice with his family.
A day goes by and Saul notices David has not been attending the feast. He asks Jonathan where David is, knowing they are close friends. Jonathan tells his father the story David had concocted, that he had gone to Bethlehem to sacrifice with his family. This enrages Saul, who is certain David is set against him, will destroy the dynasty, will overthrow his Kingdom.
Jonathan leaves in a huff, having been embarrassed by his father and now afraid for his friend. He sends David a signal that lets him know it is time for him to run. But before David leaves, they embrace, and cry.
David and Jonathan do not meet again. David will wander in exile and join the Philistines for a time. Saul and Jonathan will fall in battle at Mount Gilboa, having lost to the philistines. Our Scripture this morning is David’s lament for Jonathan. And his lament for King Saul.
What is perhaps most perplexing about this lament is its focus on King Saul. It’s understandable why he would lament the death of Jonathan. “Greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.” They did love each other as if loving their own selves, they are a model of friendship. But why does David sing, "O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul”? Should he not, at this moment, be rejoicing. The one who wanted him dead has been slain. He is free. He can return from his exile among the Philistines. He will become King.
But instead he laments.
There is another story that might help us make sense of this lament.
Once while Saul was pursuing David he went into a cave in order to relieve himself. As luck would have it, that was the very cave David was hiding in. His soldiers told him God must have placed Saul into his hands, so he could kill him and become king. But instead of slaying Saul, David cuts off a corner of his robe.
Even that much is too far for David. “The LORD forbid!” He said, “That I should do something like that to my master, the LLORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him, because he’s the LORD’s anointed!” So David did something that most people would think is foolish. He got out of the cave and yelled after Saul, “My master the King!” And he approached Saul explaining what he had done, apologizing. In that moment Saul had a change of heart, knowing that David had proved himself righteous. “David, my son, is that your voice?” He said as he broke down in tears. This would not be the only time Saul would hunt down David, while David spared his life.
David never sought to kill his enemy. He was never going to ascend to the kingship through the shedding of blood. But at every moment he withheld his sword, and showed obeisance to the King who he regarded as the Lord’s anointed, even as the anointing had left him. David loved Jonathan with the highest love, but David also loved Saul his enemy. As he sought to do what was right for Jonathan, he’d also seek to do what was right for Saul. And it was not right to kill him.
Why does David lament the death of Saul? Because Saul was the King of Israel, his master. Because he loved Saul, though Saul didn’t love him. That is why he laments.
David in his wanderings gives us one image of what it means to love our enemies, as well as to love our friends. In this way he foreshadows Jesus. Jesus loved his friends, going so far as to lay his life down for them. And he loved his enemies, forgiving them always. So too with David. He loved his enemies, he loved his friends. And we too are called to do the same. David helps model this for us.