Review Of 2Samuel 1

– by Victor Fawole

It’s a new month, a new week, and it’s a new book. I welcome everyone back to our “No Bible, No Breakfast” spiritual exercise. Last time out, we wrapped up 1st Samuel with the tragic end of Saul’s life and reign. Today, as we flip over to 2nd Samuel, the story shifts from Saul’s decline to David’s rise. This book records the establishment of David’s kingdom, but it begins with David’s raw experience of grief. News reached him of Saul’s death, the very man who had hunted him like a criminal. David did not rejoice. Instead, he wept, he lamented, and he honoured Saul as though he were a fallen hero and not a bitter enemy. 

Join me as we review together…

AN ENEMY MUST NOT BRAG!

2Sam. 1:10 So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.”

In the final chapter of 1st Samuel, we saw the tragic end of King Saul. Wounded by Philistine archers, he begged his armour bearer to finish him off. When the man refused, Saul took matters into his own hands. He fell on his own sword to avoid the humiliation of dying at the hands of his enemies. It was a tragic suicide, the final act of a life that had drifted far from God. Now, as 2nd Samuel opens, we meet an Amalekite who twisted the story. He came to David claiming that he was the one who killed Saul, expecting to be celebrated or rewarded. After all, Saul had been David’s relentless enemy, and surely David ought to be glad to hear of his rival’s demise. But instead of gaining favour, this man exposed his own deceit and faced judgement.

Some people claim that the Bible contradicts itself concerning the cause of Saul’s death. But there’s nothing contradictory here. Let me put all the events concerning his death in the correct order. Saul was wounded in battle and then killed himself by falling on his own sword. The Amalekite came across Saul’s dead body and took his crown and armlet. The next day, the Philistines found Saul’s body, beheaded him, removed his armour, spread the news, and placed his body on the wall of Beth Shan. The men of Jabesh-Gilead travelled overnight, took Saul’s body (and those of his sons) and burnt them at Jabesh. They buried Saul’s bones under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted for seven days. The Amalekite arrived at David’s camp on the third day with Saul’s crown and armlet, and told his own false version of the story in order to win David’s favour.

This guy was not an innocent reporter. He was a messenger with motives and came with a manipulated message. His lugubrious confession condemned him. He thought sorrow would soften David, and that flattery would fetch him favour. What he imagined would secure a reward sealed his own judgement. David ordered his killing with immediate effect! As far as David was concerned, an enemy must not brag about killing God’s anointed! The throne wasn’t just a seat of power. It was sacred. Whoever sat on it was “God’s anointed”, chosen and set apart by the Lord Himself. That was why, even though Saul had hunted him down like a criminal, David never once lifted his hand against him. He knew that vengeance belonged to God alone. So when the Amalekite bragged about killing Saul, David interpreted it as a blasphemy against God’s authority. To David, this man wasn’t merely mocking Saul. He was mocking the God who had anointed Saul. And David would not allow an enemy to claim such a victory.

TRIBUTE TO KING SAUL

2Sam. 1:17-18 Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar.

David’s response to the news of Saul’s death was a deeply emotional one. He grieved. Some of us would have gloated. David tore his clothes, wept bitterly, and fasted. He did not see Saul merely as a personal enemy. He saw him as God’s anointed and Israel’s king. David understood that Israel’s loss was bigger than his personal gain. He refused to celebrate the downfall of Saul, even though Saul hated him. He chose grief over gloating, compassion over celebration, respect over ridicule, and lamentation over laughter. 

David’s response didn’t stop at mourning and fasting. He also composed a poetic tribute, known as “The Song of the Bow”. Let us do a brief analysis of the tribute:

i. It Was A Poetic Memorial (vs. 17-18)

David didn’t just cry in private. He put his grief into a song. Much more, he commanded that this lament be taught to the people of Judah. In doing so, he ensured that the memories of Saul and Jonathan’s would not be erased by shame but preserved through poetry. This shows David’s deep respect for the office of God’s anointed and for his own covenant with Jonathan. Believers today should learn from this. Even when leaders or loved ones fail, we can still honour the ways God used them. When we memorialize the good about people, we celebrate the grace of God that saves us all. This is part of spiritual maturity. 

ii. It Was A Proclamation of Loss (vs. 19-21)

David didn’t downplay the tragedy. “How the mighty have fallen!” was more like the chorus of the song. David warned that the news should not be told in the cities of Philistia. Bloggers must not spread it. His main concern is that the tragic death of Saul must not become an occasion for the enemies of God to rejoice. Believers must handle losses with seriousness, grief, and prayer, not gossip or mockery. Instead of fueling the enemy’s laughter, we should use such moments for sober reflection.

iii. It Was A Portrait of Valour (vs. 22-23)

David described Saul and Jonathan as strong, swift, and united in life and death. He highlighted their courage in battle rather than their flaws. He magnified Saul’s courage and Jonathan’s loyalty. This is an act of grace. When reflecting on others, especially those who have hurt us, we can choose what to remember. We can learn to let grace speak louder than grudges.

iv. It Was A People’s Mourning (vs. 24)

David summoned the daughters of Israel to weep for Saul, who once clothed them in luxurious clothes and jewelries. Though Saul ended in disgrace, David called the nation to remember that under Saul’s reign, there were also seasons of prosperity. Mourning together was an act of national humility. Communities should grieve over the fall of their leaders, not gossip. Shared grief becomes a seedbed for shared healing. For us believers, mourning is not the end. “We do not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1Thess. 4:13). 

v. It Was A Personal Lamentation (vs. 25-27)

David mourned Jonathan deeply. “Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” He remembered their deep, loyal, sacrificial covenant friendship. David was not ashamed to express raw emotion over his brother-in-arms. It was both personal and national, a lamentation of love and loss.

Dear Gogolights, please be reminded that all earthly kings are limited and fallible. Jesus is the perfect King Who never sinned, never failed, and whose reign will never end (Luke 1:33). His cross was the game-changer for us. When David cried: “How the mighty have fallen!”, it was a cry of grief over human frailty and mortality. At Calvary, when Jesus cried out: “It is finished!”, it was a declaration of victory. David said “weapons of war have perished”… but we say, “Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?” (1Cor. 15:55).

Amen!

Thank you for reading and also sharing your reflections.

See you tomorrow, beloveds.

Grace to you, Church!