Sermon Central
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Lament For Mighty Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jul 4, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: This lamentation had written for the honor of King Saul and Jonathan. It is a homage rendered to them. The spiritual fall led him to have physical death before his enemies. Jonathan had fallen because of his company with his father. Take heed lest you fall.
Text: 2 Samuel 1:17-27
Theme: The Mighty Have Fallen
I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The LORD is Good; His steadfast love endures forever. God willing this month we will be meditating under the theme “Take heed lest you fall”(1 Corinthians 10:4). As we are going through various needs and difficulties due to the Coronavirus, there is a possibility of losing heart and faith. Desperation may come. It is the time to be careful and watchful of our steps, words, and deeds.
The theme for this Sunday is “The Mighty have Fallen”. This passage talks about three noteworthy personalities of Israel, namely King Saul, Prince Jonathan, and King David. We are going to learn spiritual lessons from their relationship with one another and with God. This lamentation had written for the honor of King Saul and Jonathan. It is a homage rendered to them (2 Samuel 1:17-18).
1. King Saul Strived for Kingship and Authority
Saul was a very ordinary young man when he met Samuel. He was introduced in the Book of Samuel withy these words: “He was an impressive young man without equals, handsome young man, fine young man, choice and the goodly young man” (1 Samuel 9:1-2). God Chose Saul to be the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:15-16).
God raised him to authority from dust, from the least of the Benjamin among the tribes of Israel. God chose Saul because of his humility and self-control as per his statement to Samuel (1 Samuel 9:21, 10:22). He was a searched leader he never sought leadership. God appointed him and people approved his kingship (1 Samuel 10:24-25).
Saul was a man of different hearts. He spent the whole night with the man of God discussing the secrets of prophecy (1 Samuel 9:25-26). Saul was mute for both praises and dejection of People (1 Samuel 10:24, 27). though Saul was despised and ridiculed; however, he kept his mind was in quietness, but God affirmed his calling by being with him in the battles and enabled him to overcome all the hurdles and crowned the victory, then Saul glorified God. Samuel confirmed the kingship of Saul to all Israel (1 Samuel 10:27 and 11:13-15).
But quickly, Saul learned all the habits of gentile kings; he learned the luxurious living, enjoyment of the powers, and despised Samuel and God. He distanced himself far from God and his purpose. Saul did not consider David as his equal. So, he hunted him for many years. He vainly spent time and energy against the will of God. The Government money spent on military force, the treasury was emptied for this purpose. Instead of expanding the Kingdom of Israel, he was concentrating on establishing the monarchy. Saul had established his name and fame by a victor pillar in his memory (1 Samuel 15:12).
King Saul fulfilled all the prophecies foretold by Moses (Read: Deuteronomy 17:14-17); and all the warnings given by Samuel to the People came to pass. Samuel warned them what would be the cost of having a King (Read: 1 Samuel 8: 6-9, 11-18). So he was striving to retain the authority and kingship for him and his posterity. Saul forgot the call and the plans of God. If Saul would surrender completely and honored God, God would have allowed him to have kings for generations as per Deuteronomy 17:18-20.
Dear friends, let us not give ourselves to worldly ideas and principles in our lives. Let us surrender to the Lord and his power. Let the will and plan of God to fulfill in and through every one of us. King Saul yielded to Self-will (1 Samuel 13:12-13), His ardent behavior turned into atrocities as disobedient ruler. Saul has simply rejected the spiritual counseling of God through Samuel. He did what was pleasing to him rather than the will of God. So, God has grieved for this man (1 Samuel 15:7-10-11, 22-23).
He nurtured Jealousy (1 Samuel 18:8-9) and hatred against Samuel, Priests, and David, God’s children, and saints (1 Samuel 18:8, 19:1). Saul was explaining to Jonathan that as long as David lives, Jonathan could not become a King. So he should be killed (1 Samuel 20:31). Later he believed in superstition (1 Samuel 28:7). The Philistines killed sons of Saul (1 Samuel 31:1-2). Saul attempted for suicide, but, an Amalekite killed him because he spared Agag and their best against God’s order which displeased the Lord (1 Samuel 31:4, 1 Samuel 15:2-3, 9; 2 Samuel 1:13-14).
2. Prince Jonathan Strived for Friendship and Charity
Jonathan means “The LORD gives” or “the LORD has given.” God had given Jonathan a generous portion of noble qualities. He was a gift from God to the people of Israel. Jonathan was a brave young Prince who lived with charity, sincerity. He was very entirely different from his father in many areas of life. Jonathan was Godfearing and smarter than Saul understanding the will and purpose of God. Jonathan was known for his deep love, loyal friendship, and faith in God, while Saul repeatedly showed foolishness, pride, and disobedience to God. Before David emerged as captain of the Army Jonathan was leading the battle, and won the battles on many occasions (1 Samuel 14:1-2,12).