When Love Prevails Series

Series: Israel’s 2nd King- David [#13]

WHEN LOVE PREVAILS

2 Samuel 1:17-18

Introduction:

The death of Saul was the end of a difficult relationship. We have all had relationships that were not good- They might have started out well and had a lot of promise; but it ended in pain. The death of Saul also meant a new life for David. David’s hiding and running days were over. David finally was the King of Israel. This meant a new life for the Nation of Israel as well. With all of this in mind, we see that David showed love.

2 Samuel 1:17

Love…

1. Grieves.

David was a man after God’s own heart. He loved his enemies. David grieved the death of his friend Jonathan.

That’s what love does. A lesser man hearing of the death of Saul would have said, “Finally. Thank you, Lord. He’s gone. What a relief. My life will be so much easier now.” As you become more like Jesus, you may find yourself weeping over wasted lives; wasted opportunities; and friendships; relationships in family, work, and ministry that might have been, but were not. Love grieves. It does not gloat. It does not gripe. Love grieves.

1 Peter 4:8

Love…

2. Covers.

That’s what happened here. David’s love for Saul, who did him so much harm, covered over a multitude of sins. So, when Saul died, instead of telling everyone how terrible Saul was; he spoke only about the good that could be said of him. David tells us why it was important to not say anything negative. “Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.” The people of God have enemies. Gath and Ashkelon were Philistine cities. These people would have loved to hear how awful Israel’s 1st King had been.

Philippians 4:8

Love…

3. Commends.

At the end of a difficult relationship, David chose what to bring to mind- His love for Saul, who treated him so badly, covered over a multitude of sins; but David goes further. He might have said, “My lips are sealed,” and that would have spoken volumes. But he writes this song and teaches it to the people. He says, “Let me tell you what was good about Saul.”

There’s no faking, no pretending, nothing in here about Saul’s loving God or obeying God. Saul didn’t do these things, and David doesn’t pretend he did. David draws attention to what was commendable in Saul- His military achievements, his partnership with Jonathan, and the prosperity that came from the spoils of war.

How does God do this with us? Jesus told a story about a master who trusted talents to his servants, to be used on his behalf. When the master returned, 2 of the servants heard him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).

2 Samuel 1:17-18

Love…

4. Heals.

David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah. Not only was David kind in the way that he handled the ending of this difficult relationship, he was also wise. It won’t surprise you to know that when Saul died there were some people who rallied behind David, but others found 1 of Saul’s remaining sons (Ish-bosheth) and got behind him. David inherited a divided kingdom. The challenge for David was how to unite where Saul had divided.

Conclusion:

David was anointed King in Judah, his home base in the south. Ish-bosheth was made king over Israel at Mahanaim. He was over the Ashurites and Ephraim, that’s all in the north. This led to a long war between north and south.