Day 120: David Mourns Saul

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 1, 1 Chronicles 1, and Psalm 13.

I. 2 Samuel 1 recounts David's mourning for Saul and Jonathan. It begins with an Amalekite coming to David, carrying Saul's crown and bracelet, telling him that both had died and he had finished off a gravely wounded Saul at his own request. David orders his execution because, by his own words, he had claimed to kill the Lord's anointed (Saul). He then composes a moving funeral song, honoring both Saul and Jonathan.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

David mourns the deaths of his enemy Saul and his dear friend Jonathan by singing a song of lamentation. David entreats the people of Israel to learn this song and sing it. David refuses to be held captive by the memory of Saul's animosity and jealousy. Rather, he honors Saul. The wounds of our pasts are real, but the freedom we have in Jesus is greater. We do not need to be held captive by the past or even by any present sorrow or pain. With God's grace, like David, we can move forward. (p. 256)

II. 1 Chronicles 1 gives a genealogy from Adam, showing that the God of Israel is the Creator and Lord of all peoples, not only Israel.

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, notes:

1 Chronicles begins with a listing of many prominent biblical figures, including Adam, Seth, and Noah. Though there is no explicit mention of God here, he is directly involved in all their stories. These names mean something to us only because of what God has done through them. God can sometimes seem unnoticed in our lives, yet our lives matter because he is present. (p. 256)

III. Psalm 13 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed): 

A lament psalm. Anguish and distress have taken hold of the Psalmist, whose health is fading quickly and whose enemies have gained the upper hand over him. As in many lament psalms, complaints give way to a renewed confidence in the Lord's help in the final verses. The poet comes to trust that God will transform his sorrowful heart into a heart filled with joy. (p. 840)

That's it for today!