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6 June 2007
2 Samuel 1 v 17-27
David sang a funeral song about Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this song. It is called "The Bow," and it is written in the Book of Jashar:
"Israel, your leaders have been killed on the hills. How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Don't tell it in Gath. Don't announce it in the streets of Ashkelon. If you do, the Philistine women will be happy. The daughters of the Philistines will rejoice.
"May there be no dew or rain on the mountains of Gilboa, and may their fields produce no grain, because there the mighty warrior's shield was dishonored. Saul's shield will no longer be rubbed with oil.
Jonathan's bow did not fail to kill many soldiers. Saul's sword did not fail to wound many strong men.
"We loved Saul and Jonathan and enjoyed them while they lived. They are together even in death. They were faster than eagles. They were stronger than lions.
"You daughters of Israel, cry for Saul. Saul clothed you with red dresses and put gold decorations on them.
"How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan is dead on Gilboa's hills.
I cry for you, my brother Jonathan. I enjoyed your friendship so much. Your love to me was wonderful, better than the love of women.
"How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war are gone."
"We loved Saul and Jonathan and enjoyed them while they lived." (verse 23). Now that's the words of someone who knows how to forgive!
Anyway, on to the bit that everyone wants to talk about: "Your love to me was wonderful, better than the love of women." (v26)
Firstly, context; he just said he enjoyed Saul while he lived. Erm, hang on, Saul tried to kill him on numerous occasions didn't he? Maybe he's being especially kind and respectful to their memories. Also, 2 minutes ago David had a man killed in the spur of the moment, David seems like a bit of an impulsive guy to me.
Maybe it's like one of those things where you are quoted out of context saying (for example) "I'm so glad Chelsea didn't win the Premiership, I love Man U!" and everyone's now thinking you're a vibrant Man U fan, and you're like "dude, that's not what I meant", but now its stuck, and your reputation is sullied!
Who knows? I guess if there's a point it's that we choose to remember the good, we honour people and we pass on an honourable memory of them. David ordered that his people be taught this song, and he chose to honour the man who for years had been trying to ruin his life. If this was all we knew about Saul, we'd think he was a total hero. Regardless of anything else, David is a man who knows how to forgive - no wonder there's such a fuss about him.
Father God, teach me to remember the good in people and not moan about the bad. To boast about how cool other people are, rather than tarnishing other people's view of them. Help me to pause when I hear some gossip about someone, and give them the benefit of the doubt. Amen.
Written by Laurence Keith
2 Samuel 1 v 17-27
David sang a funeral song about Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this song. It is called "The Bow," and it is written in the Book of Jashar:
"Israel, your leaders have been killed on the hills. How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Don't tell it in Gath. Don't announce it in the streets of Ashkelon. If you do, the Philistine women will be happy. The daughters of the Philistines will rejoice.
"May there be no dew or rain on the mountains of Gilboa, and may their fields produce no grain, because there the mighty warrior's shield was dishonored. Saul's shield will no longer be rubbed with oil.
Jonathan's bow did not fail to kill many soldiers. Saul's sword did not fail to wound many strong men.
"We loved Saul and Jonathan and enjoyed them while they lived. They are together even in death. They were faster than eagles. They were stronger than lions.
"You daughters of Israel, cry for Saul. Saul clothed you with red dresses and put gold decorations on them.
"How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan is dead on Gilboa's hills.
I cry for you, my brother Jonathan. I enjoyed your friendship so much. Your love to me was wonderful, better than the love of women.
"How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war are gone."
"We loved Saul and Jonathan and enjoyed them while they lived." (verse 23). Now that's the words of someone who knows how to forgive!
Anyway, on to the bit that everyone wants to talk about: "Your love to me was wonderful, better than the love of women." (v26)
Firstly, context; he just said he enjoyed Saul while he lived. Erm, hang on, Saul tried to kill him on numerous occasions didn't he? Maybe he's being especially kind and respectful to their memories. Also, 2 minutes ago David had a man killed in the spur of the moment, David seems like a bit of an impulsive guy to me.
Maybe it's like one of those things where you are quoted out of context saying (for example) "I'm so glad Chelsea didn't win the Premiership, I love Man U!" and everyone's now thinking you're a vibrant Man U fan, and you're like "dude, that's not what I meant", but now its stuck, and your reputation is sullied!
Who knows? I guess if there's a point it's that we choose to remember the good, we honour people and we pass on an honourable memory of them. David ordered that his people be taught this song, and he chose to honour the man who for years had been trying to ruin his life. If this was all we knew about Saul, we'd think he was a total hero. Regardless of anything else, David is a man who knows how to forgive - no wonder there's such a fuss about him.
Father God, teach me to remember the good in people and not moan about the bad. To boast about how cool other people are, rather than tarnishing other people's view of them. Help me to pause when I hear some gossip about someone, and give them the benefit of the doubt. Amen.
Written by Laurence Keith
