Greetings. This week, we begin with 2 Sam. We read 4 chapters of 2 Sam and Psalm 10. In the first chapter of 1 Sam we read about the devastating news of King Saul and his son Jonathan. David has two opportunities to kill Saul but he did not because Saul was anointed by God. He let God deal with him. He honoured Saul and Jonathan.
A few things.
You Can Grief. David mourned the death of both Saul and Jonathan. Saul wanted to kill him. Jonathan was like a brother to him. He paid his respect to both of them. Sorrow engulfed him. Grief, like anger is a natural emotion that comes with a loss. It can be a loved one, an excellent career, a dream, a relationship, or a dog. Do not suppress it. Bring it to God. Allow him to comfort us.
Honor and Respect. No matter what we think of the deceased, we pay our respect. I have not heard anyone talking bad about the deceased during an eulogy. That is basic respect. Did Saul do David wrong? He should not have wanted David dead. Yet, David paid his respect to Saul when he heard he was killed. He even exacted revenged on the man who killed him because Saul is the anointed king. We extend our grace and respect to others, regardless of conflicts or differences. Choose forgiveness and reconciliation even with those who are still alive.
God’s Sovereignty. In our grief or other challenging circumstances, do not forget God is sovereign. He is in control. We trust in his faithfulness. We depend on his strength.
2 Sam 1 is a reminder of the importance of honestly processing our grief and seeking comfort from God. We are also reminded to extend our grace and honour to others, especially during challenging times. Let us pray that we continue to grow in emotional maturity and deeper trust in God;s sovereignty.
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