Honor

A Lesson in Love & Honor David’s Lament for Saul & Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17-20, 22-27) Saul was loved and honored by David because: He was God’s anointed (1 Sam. 10:1), like David He was Israel’s (First) King (1 Sam.10) Render honor to whom honor is due (Ro. 13:7) (e.g. governmental authorities) Honor people of all sorts, have honor for the king (1 Pe. 2:17) He was a recipient of the power of God’s Holy Spirit (1 Sam. 10:6-10) Compare: Abijah, the son of evil King Jeroboam was found worthy of mourning by all Israel because “something good towards Jehovah was found in him” (1 Kin. 14:12-13 & 18) How could David love and honor Saul after Saul tried to kill him? David truly trusted in God and knew that God was in control of all things. Therefore, he could understand that God had allowed Saul to pursue and persecute him. He could reason that God had allowed his suffering at the hand of Saul in order to instruct him in the way of righteousness. Saul was used by God to help prepare David for the leadership role he would soon assume. As Joseph was able to be grateful for the hand of God in his life through his suffering (see Genesis 50:20), so David was able to do likewise. Jonathan was loved and honored by David because: He was an unselfish friend and supporter of David, though some 30 years David’s senior He bonded with David after David killed Goliath (1 Sam. 18:1) He made(1 Sam. 18:3), implemented (1 Sam. 19) and reaffirmed (1 Sam. 20:8 & 23:18) a covenant of friendship with David He was a sworn protector of David as God’s Anointed (1 Sam. 19:1-20:17) He was an advocate for David to Saul (at risk of his own life) (1 Sam. 19:3-7, 20:24-40) He and David kissed and wept for each other(1 Sam. 20:41) He encouraged David (1 Sam. 23:16-18) He was a valiant commander (1 Sam. 13:2, of a thousand men) He was incredibly Brave (2 on 20) (1 Sam. 14:1-23, secretly, without telling Saul, with only his armor-bearer, he killed 20 Philistine’s and set others to flight) He trusted in Jehovah’s power over numbers of men (1 Sam. 14:6) He was a skilled archer (1 Sam. 20:20) He was a close confidant of his father, the king (1 Sam. 20:2, Saul did not keep secrets from him, not even his desire to kill David (1 Sam. 19:1)) … and in death they were not parted (2 Sam. 1:22-27) In return David:

Focuses on the positive aspects of both of them, and is silent as to the negative “We should speak only that which edifies (builds up or benefits) the hearer(s)” (1 Cor. 4:4-5, 17, 26). “ …whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things (Phil.4:8). Honored them as part of the “glory of Israel” (2 Sam. 1:19) Honored them as “mighty” (2 Sam. 1:19, 22, 25 & 27) Honored Jonathan as an archer and Saul as a swordsman (2 Sam. 1:22) Honored them as “weapons of war” (2 Sam. 1:27) Called them loved and gracious (2 Sam. 1:23) Honored their speed and strength (2 Sam. 1:23) Honored Saul’s military conquests and the resulting economic benefits to Israel (2 Sam. 1:24) Showed special kindness to Jonathan’s lame son (2 Sam. 4:4, 9:10-13) Grieved for Jonathan as a dear, loving brother (2 Sam. 1:26) “there is a time to mourn” (Ecc. 3:4) But remember, God will comfort the mourning (Is. 51:11, 60:20, 61:2, Jer. 31:13, Matt. 5:4) David’s lament here has been written for a much wider audience than David and his 600 men. It is written and recorded in the “Book of Jashar.” We see this “book” referred to in Joshua: Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel (Joshua 10:12-14). In this text in Joshua, we read of the victory God gives Israel over the Amorites, assisted by causing the sun to stand still. This incident is so awesome and monumental it is recorded for later generations to read and to be amazed. Not only does David wish to honor Saul and Jonathan himself, he wants all of the “sons of Judah”, for coming generations, to join him (2 Samuel 1:18) and thus instructs that this song be taught to them.