Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Samuel 1 and Psalm 78

The opening chapter of 2 Samuel contains much that warrants our attention, but for today let’s contemplate David’s reaction to hearing of the outcome of the battle, and of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths. While we would expect him to mourn for his dear friend Jonathan, his agonising grief over the death of Saul seems surprising. This is the man who tried to murder David on multiple occasions! He had occupied the throne that God had ordained for David and had simply refused to vacate it, forcing David into years of exile and hardship, separated from God’s people. And Saul had remained unrepentant and bitter until the end. One would expect that Saul’s death would be cause for celebration in David’s camp. Yet David tore his clothes in mourning, wept and fasted when he learned of Saul’s death. David held to deeper values than most of us will ever understand. Those same values had earlier led him to hold himself and his men back from killing their tormentor, Saul, on two separate occasions when Saul had seemingly been handed over to them, defenceless.

What might we take away from this moment? In his commentary, David Guzik suggests: “This contrast powerfully demonstrates that our hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness are chosen, not imposed on us.”

David’s reactions throughout his exile demonstrate that we may feel anger and bitterness towards someone who has harmed us deeply, but by God’s grace we are still able to remain in control of our own reactions. In an act of Godly grace, we are capable of choosing to give undeserved honour (and even love) to those who have earned our dishonour.

Gracious Lord, please impart Your grace to me today. Empower me by Your Spirit to choose to treat others with forgiveness and honour, no matter who they are or what they have done. I confess that this feels like an impossible task, but I trust Your power and grace. Amen.