1 Sam 30-31, 2 Sam 1-2

Humility...

Over and over as we have read in 1 Samuel, we have heard of David's humility and his deference to Saul's anointed position. Though Saul sought time and time again to kill David, and though on multiple occasions David had opportunity to kill Saul, David never wavered in his respect for Saul's position as king of Israel. As the Psalms testify, he had called out on several occasions to God for deliverance and justice, but never once did he take it into his own hands.

Then his respect and deference were tested. A young man comes and declares the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. The young man "proves" his story by laying before David Saul's crown and bracelet which he had removed from Saul after he had delivered Saul's final blow to hasten death.

But what is the next anointed's response? It is not a deliverance cheer. It is not a sigh of relief. It is not a self-appointment to the throne. It is one of anger and lament. He has the young man slain for daring to rise against the Lord's anointed, then he commands that a lament for Saul and Jonathan be taught from generation to generation.

The lament is a song which never mentions the evils of Saul. It never once mentions the attempts on David's life. It never mentions the flaws of Saul's leadership. Rather it exalts his successes. It praises his leadership and calls for all to weep over how the mighty have fallen.

David reveals his true reverence and subordination to King Saul. Throughout his life he had never risen against Saul, and now even in Saul's death, he responds in sincere respect for the king and his position. Instead of gloating, he tears his clothes and morns the loss of Israel's king.

There is a reason the David is called the "man after God's own heart." He did not take lightly God's anointing. It was God who had placed Saul as David's king, David never forgot that all his days.

David sets an example for us today. We are called to humility. We are called to the cross. We are called to revere not only in life but also in death God's anointed. One day there came God's final Anointed, Christ Jesus. Though the Israelites praised Him on Palm Sunday, yet they mocked Him four days later upon the cross of Calvary.

By our lives and actions we mock or stand in awe, which will you do today?