Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
CONTEXT
With Saul’s death, you’d think that David would be relieved – no more wondering whether Saul was in pursuit. Instead of relief, David grieved the loss because he saw how God had chosen and used Saul to lead Israel. David’s lament is recorded in 2 Samuel 1.
Bible Reading
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.He said:
“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
Tell it not in Gath,
publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
“You mountains of Gilboa,
let there be no dew or rain upon you,
nor fields of offerings!
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
“From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan turned not back,
and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles;
they were stronger than lions.
“You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
“How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!
“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.
“How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”
– 2 Samuel 1:17-27
Devotion
How often do you spend time thinking about the strengths of the weak and broken? God’s grace is evident in some way in every person. Unfortunately, we live in a world consumed with bitterness, criticism and hatred. Just listen to how people talk about someone they disagree with politically.
Notice the way David spoke of Saul and Jonathan in this lament. It takes remarkable character for David to speak of Saul so well, considering the way he had been treated by Saul. Behind that character was David’s firm belief that God is the one who appoints leaders – nobody can rise or fall apart from His sovereign hand. That faith provided David with great confidence. You can experience that confidence as well.
The Big Question
Is there someone that you struggle thinking well of? How can trusting God help you to deal with that person well? Maybe you could ask God to help you to see them from His perspective and to see the goodness in their lives.
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.