March 15, 2024

David was back home in Ziklag, and an Amalekite came to tell him that Saul and Jonathan were dead and brought David his crown and bracelet. He takes credit for killing Saul, thinking that doing so would give him kudos for killing David’s enemy, and tells him that Saul was injured and had asked him to kill him. However, David’s reaction to the news wasn’t what was expected, and the man embellished the story by adding that if he hadn’t killed him, Saul would have been dishonored for being killed by a Philistine. David was incensed and scolded him for feeling it was okay to slay one of God’s anointed, even though Saul was an enemy of his. It’s possible this man’s story was a lie, but even if it was, he was an Amalekite, and God had explicitly told Saul to eliminate them when he became king. It’s foreboding that an Amalekite takes him out for disobeying God. David did what Saul should have done and had him killed. David mourned over Saul but was heartbroken over Jonathan, his best friend. We can see that this is the end of Saul’s kingdom and the beginning of David’s reign, out with the bad and in with the good. The good Kingdom is near. As we wait for Jesus to return, we must stay committed to him and do our best to live a full life in these evil days. Stay vigilant and seek him daily.

And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed. 2 Samuel 1:15-16