2 Samuel 1:11-12

Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

2 Samuel 1:11-12

Notice the reaction of David at the news the Philistines had defeated the army of Israel. He begins to mourn and weep, tearing his clothes and fasting till the evening because of the death of Saul and Saul’s son, Jonathan, and for all the people of the LORD who had fallen by the sword.

Now you might understand him mourning at the loss of the men in the army of Israel and especially for his closest friend, Jonathan, but why was he weeping for Saul? You might think David would be happy that he was dead, glad he doesn’t have to be on the run any longer, and that he can return home and take the position as King over Israel as God had promised him.

David and the men with him took no joy at the death of Saul, though he deserved everything he got. David was a man after God’s own heart and God wasn’t rejoicing at Saul’s death. In fact, the Lord tells us in Ezekiel 33:11 that, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.“

It should break our hearts when those who are lost die without finding God’s forgiveness. Though we might want to say, “Well they got what they deserved!”, we have to realize, but for the grace of God go I.

Pastor Doug Hardin