IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Introduction to 2 Samuel

Key Verse: 1:17

1. Tragic news (1-16)

Israel was defeated, and Saul and his sons were killed in a great battle with the Philistines. The Amalekite who came to David with news of Saul's death was expecting a reward. He brought Saul's crown and lied to David, saying that he had killed Saul (1 Sa 31:4). He assumed that David hated Saul who had harassed him so mercilessly and driven him from Israel. But David did not hate Saul. He respected him as the Lord's anointed king. He had the Amalekite executed for his own testimony of killing Saul. David did not delight in evil, nor rejoice in another's tragedy (1 Co 13:6).

2. David's lament for Saul and Jonathan (17-27).

David wrote a lament, commemorating the great and noble things about Saul and Jonathan. He ordered all the people to learn it. He was sorry that the Philistine enemies would hear of Saul's death and rejoice (19, 20). Mount Gilboa, where Saul died, was shamed by that event (21). David grieved for Jonathan his friend and wrote about his love and loyalty (26). There was no hint of malice in David.

Prayer: Lord, take the spirit of vengeance from our hearts and help us to remember the positive things about those who have harmed us.

One Word: Don't hold grudges and trust God