Wednesday, June 19 – 2 Samuel 1, 2 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs, and Prophets chapters 68, 69

2. In which city was David made king, only over Judah? 2 Samuel 2:3, 4

3. Which son of Saul was put on the throne of Israel by Abner? 2 Samuel 2:8, 9

4. Which brother of Joab, commander of David’s army, was killed by Abner, commander of Saul’s army? 2 Samuel 2:23

Commentary and Reflection

David’s genuine reaction to Saul’s death again shows his noble character beyond his mistakes. David was devoted to God, trusted in Him, couldn’t bring himself to kill Saul, wasn’t an opportunist, was humble, and left the fulfillment of God’s promise in His hands. He was a true patriot, putting the nation’s well-being ahead of his interests. Saul became his enemy and was unjust to him, but the defeat of Israel and the death of Saul and his sons was a true tragedy that David genuinely mourned.

David knew how to be a true friend, just like Jonathan. Saul was against him, but he was his best friend’s father. He couldn’t rejoice for that reason, either. Among the dead was Jonathan.

Jonathan knew how to be loyal to his father and friend. He didn’t fail his father for his friend or his friend for his father. What a sense of justice! What maturity! What balance! There’s a human tendency to be tribalistic, to close our eyes to our mistakes, to be partial at the expense of truth. This is not right before God. Jonathan’s example in this regard is worth following.

Some matters are more important than our interests, and a generous person who fears God can discern these matters. The death of the Anointed One of The Lord, the death of a friend, and the defeat of your people are more critical than your dispute or quarrel with a personal adversary, no matter if that adversary seeks to destroy you. The willingness to sacrifice personal interest for the collective good demonstrates a noble spirit. That’s what Jesus did; he sacrificed his life to save us. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

As expected, according to human nature, Saul’s death was followed by the nation’s division and civil war. Much death and pain would have been avoided if Abner, Saul’s uncle and commander of his army, and the rulers of Israel had consulted God, as David did, before hastily putting Saul’s son on the throne.

We learn that when brothers differ, we do not do well to divide and rush to fight. Instead, let’s humbly seek God’s will and be obedient.

About Abner in this situation, Patriarchs and Prophets say,

” The circumstances under which Abner was placed served to develop his real character and showed him to be ambitious and unprincipled. He had been intimately associated with Saul and had been influenced by the spirit of the king to despise the man whom God had chosen to reign over Israel. His hatred had been increased by the cutting rebuke that David had given him at the time when the cruse of water and the spear of the king had been taken from the side of Saul as he slept in the camp. He remembered how David had cried in the hearing of the king and the people of Israel, “Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? …This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed.” This reproof had rankled in his breast, and he determined to carry out his revengeful purpose and create division in Israel, whereby he himself might be exalted. He employed the representative of departed royalty to advance his own selfish ambitions and purposes. He knew that the people loved Jonathan. His memory was cherished, and Saul’s first successful campaigns had not been forgotten by the army. With determination worthy a better cause, this rebellious leader went forward to carry out his plans.” PP 698

May The Lord grant us a clear and firm sense of justice without partiality or tribalism and a noble and healthy spirit like David’s.

Have a very blessed day.