relationships (2 Samuel 1:1-27) Solid Foundation for Relationships

(2 Samuel 1:1-27)  Now it came about after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David stayed two days in Ziklag. 2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. And it happened when he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself. 3 Then David said to him, “From where do you come?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 David said to him, “How did things go? Please tell me.” And he said, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 5 Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 The young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen had overtaken him. 7 When he looked behind himself, he saw me, and called to me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 8 Then he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 And he said to me, ‘Please stand next to me and finish me off, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.’ 10 So I stood next to him and finished him off, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the band which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 Then David said to the young man who informed him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.” 14 And David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to reach out with your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15 Then David called one of the young men and said, “Come forward, put him to death.” So he struck him and he died. 16 And David said to him, “Your blood is on your head, because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have finished off the Lord’s anointed.’”

17 Then David sang this song of mourning over Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the mourning song of the bow; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.

19 “Your beauty, Israel, is slaughtered on your high places!
      How the mighty have fallen!
20  Tell it not in Gath,
      Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
      Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
      The daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.
21  Mountains of Gilboa,
      May there be no dew nor rain on you, or fields of offerings!
      For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
      The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
22  From the blood of those slaughtered, from the fat of the mighty,
      The bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
      And the sword of Saul did not return unstained.
23  Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life,
      And in their deaths they were not separated;
      They were swifter than eagles,
      They were mightier than lions.
24  Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
      Who clothed you in scarlet, with jewelry,
      Who put gold jewelry on your apparel.
25  How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
      Jonathan is slaughtered on your high places.
26  I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
      You have been a close friend to me.
      Your love for me was more wonderful 
      Than the love of women.
27  How the mighty have fallen,
      And the weapons of war have perished!”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Did this man actual aid in Saul's death?  Or after Saul took his own life, did this man steal the crown and arm band, but then felt guilty enough to want to return the items.  Although to simply return the items would require his admission of stealing them.  So maybe he thought it would sound better if he said that he had "helped" king Saul avoid any further suffering.  I'm kind of thinking the latter, simply because the chapter before this said that Saul fell on his own sword.  Although, perhaps this man helped Saul do that, as it would not be as difficult as actually killing the king!  No matter, either way, he did something wrong and deserved punishment.  In our relationship with the Lord, we should desire to respect His law, which includes respecting leaders.

I also want to focus on what the song says about relationships with other people.  A few things stand out to me.  The women (mentioned in verse 24) loved Saul because of the material things that he gave them.  David, who did enjoy the physical company of women (in pure ways or not), valued the spiritual connection he had with Jonathan far more.

What is our "hierarchy" of love and dedication in life?  God should be placed first.  Then should be our spouse, if we have one, because the two become one flesh.  If we have done things according to God's will, then as a believer, we will date and marry another believer.  The spiritual connection will be and should be far more valuable than the emotional, physical or sexual components.  This is not to say that these other things aren't important in a marriage, but they should not be our focus or basis.  

When we focus on the desires of our flesh and make those things more important, because feelings are fickle and they come and they go, our desires and feelings will lead us astray.  Being focused on our flesh is also selfish, asking the question "What can you do for me?"  Meanwhile, by loving one another with agape love, a person asks "What can I do for you?"  As well, it is the act of choosing to love unconditionally and remain committed.  But even this means nothing unless we love God and put Him first in our lives.  Only the Lord can be the solid foundation and basis of good and healthy relationships.