2 Samuel 1:11-12 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did the same. They mourned and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
The story of the war between Saul and David continues. Jonathan went home and joined his father the king's army even though he was friends with David. He was torn and felt he had to do his duty to his father. A battle ensued, and both Saul and Jonathan were killed. The report came in to David. I'm sure the messenger thought he'd get a prize - he was reporting the death of the king who was trying to kill David and the one in his way: this opened the door for David to claim the throne.
Instead, there was mourning. And not just for Jonathan, David's friend. David mourned for Saul also, and for the army and for the whole nation of Israel. David seems to have known something instinctually that it takes a long time for others to learn: in war, there are no winners. There is no cheering. He also is continuing a great Jewish tradition of mourning for our enemies: in the Passover service, there is a time of mourning for the Egyptian soldiers who died in the Red Sea. David mourns here. The death of anyone, whether they be friend or enemy, is nothing to celebrate.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This message is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. See our website for lots of ministries and activities. We worship every Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. If you would like to be removed from the mailing list, please press reply and request that.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment