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The fall of King Saul reveals the devastating cost of disobedience and the weight of living as though eternity doesn’t matter—but David’s response points us to a King who was a faithful friend, a sincere servant, and who died in shame - not for His own wickedness, but for ours.

Once more, here is Israel being defeated by the Philistines, the enemies God had planned for Saul to save them from (1 Sam 9:16). And due to Saul’s disobedience, the Israelites are pursued & killed on Mount Gilboa.

The prophecy given by Samuel was coming true. 

Beth-shan means “house of rest” or “house of security”, but now it has become anything but that! The Philistines sent messengers to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among the people that they and their gods had decapitated Saul’s kingdom & family dynasty, and gained control of the most strategic portion in Palestine. Impaling a body on the wall was a disgusting public image of horror & victory over a rival.

Remember Jabesh-gilead; the people whom Saul had saved from the Ammonites in 1 Samuel 11? These people feel responsible to protect Saul’s body as he had protected them, and bury he and his sons just outside of their town, under the tamarisk tree (the same type of tree that he had judged others under according to 1 Sam 22:6). King Saul is dead around 70 years old, having served as King of Israel for 40 years (Acts 13:21). 

And that’s how 1 Samuel ENDS…sort of. Remember that this writing was originally 1 text - SAMUEL, 1 & 2 Samuel.

The author has now shifts the spotlight onto David.

This man is an Amalekite, (the same group of people that David and his men had their town burned and their people kidnapped). Years before, it was Saul’s disobedience in not killing the Amalekite, King Agag, that cost Saul his kingdom (1 Sam 15:23-28). 

The crown and armband were evidence was proof that Saul was really dead. But rather than respond with excitement and honor this Amalekite, David mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening.

• Despite Saul’s pursuit of David, David still honored Saul as Yahweh’s anointed king, never taking the opportunities to kill him. 
• David loved Jonathan as his own brother. His best friend’s fate hurts David’s heart.
• David mourns for the soldiers who died and the people of Israel who are on the run and in distress.

All this time, David - an Israelite who had been mistreated over and over again by King Saul, WAS afraid to lift his hand to destroy Yahweh’s anointed king. But now this Amalekite somehow had the right to do this?

David leads his people in a song of lament, a song that he has written. Remember that David was a gifted musician who had many times comforted King Saul with his songs. David is credited with 72 Psalms to his name. And now he has written a song in honor of Saul & Jonathan.

The Book of Jashar was a long-lost writing of heroic poems, laments, and songs that preserved Israel’s memory of righteousness and honor—especially in moments of victory and profound loss. While David could have taken shots at Saul’s disobedience & evil actions, he DOESN’T. Instead he points to Saul & Jonathan as men worthy of mourning.

The shield of Saul had no doubt been splattered with blood, including his own. And sadly, there was no need to clean it and anoint it with oil because it was no longer needed. So too, the anointed king, was gone and never to be anointed again.

BEHAVE LIKE ETERNITY AWAITS.

Death awaits us all, when “we leave behind everything we have and take with us everything we are.” It’s one thing to KNOW that is true. Its’ another thing to BEHAVE like that is true.

BE A FAITHFUL FRIEND & SINCERE SERVANT.

David had been a FAITHFUL FRIEND and a SINCERE SERVANT, even to Saul who mistreated him and didn’t deserve it.

So too, Jesus was and IS a faithful friend and sincere servant to those who don’t deserve it. When you and I are faithful friends & sincere servants who even show sincere care for our enemies - it SHOWS people Who Jesus is.

THANK JESUS WHO WAS SHAMED FOR MY WICKEDNESS

While Saul died and was shamed due to his wickedness, Jesus died and was shamed for my wickedness.