DAVID LAMENTS HIS PEOPLE David conquered Amalek, recovered the captives, and came back carrying a plenty of spoil, to distribute some of them among the elders of Judah, and to restore the houses that were burned in Ziklag (1 Samuel 30). As for his heart, it was aflame for what befell his people, knowing how weak the army became, how the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul; while the armies of the Philistines were known for their might and discipline. By the third day after his arrival from Ziklag, an Amalekite lad came to give him the ‘good news’ about the death of Saul, the Lord’s anointed. He expected a reward, claiming that he killed Saul who was giving his last breath; but he was punished instead. David lamented Saul, Jonathan, and all the people. 1- An Amalekite brings to David the good news of Saul’s death 1-10. 2- David laments his people 11-13. 3- David punishes the Amalekite 14-16. 4- David’s lamentation over Saul and Jonathan 17-26. 1. AN AMALEKITE BRINGS TO DAVID THE GOOD NEWS OF SAUL’S DEATH: On the third day of his arrival to Ziklag, while preoccupied in restoring it, with his heart moaning over the affliction of his people, anticipating hearing any moment some expected news from the battle, it happened that a man came, with his clothes torn, and dust on his head, carrying the latest news. We do not have to wonder, why David did not send his own spy to bring him news of the battle; as he knew beforehand what would happen; besides fearing that someone would wrongly assume that he was eager to ascend the throne, once he heard of the fall of Saul and his men. Concerning the Amalekite lad, according to the Jewish tradition, he was the son of ‘Doeg’ the Edomite, who, feeling that David would inevitably ascend the throne, sent his son, as an Amalekite lad, to be the first to bring David the good news of the death of Saul and Jonathan, and provide him with the crown that was on Saul’s head, and the bracelet that was on his arm. Most probably, the lad’s report was fake; but his intention was to find favor in David’s eyes. On one side, he came to him with torn clothes and with dust on his head, pretending to be one of David’s subjects who was serving one of his worriers in the army faithful in his feelings, even after the death of his master. On the other side, he came to tell him of the death of Saul and Jonathan assuming that by that, David became the sole heir to the throne. And as it was only Saul who was pursuing David, and not Jonathan who was his true friend, he said about Saul alone: “I stood over him and killed him;” and when he saw signs of grief on David’s face, he went on to say: “because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen.” Finally intending to congratulate him as the sole heir of the throne, he presented him with Saul’s crown and his bracelet as his own right. The Assyrian worriers were portrayed wearing special bracelets around their arms. It is obvious that the lad’s report was fabricated; As it came in (1 Samuel 31: 3) “Saul was severely wounded by the archers; Then he said to his armor bearer, ‘Draw 7 your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.’ But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it” (1 Samuel 31: 3, 4). It was illogical for the king to ask a foreign passerby whom he did not know, to stand over him and kill him. A shameful false story, fabricated by the lad or by his father, hoping for a reward with the assumption that David was waiting eagerly for the chance to ascend the throne. But David, sweet in his love and loyalty, condemned the lad, as his own mouth testified against him, that he killed the Lord’s anointed. The Amalekite lied and paid for his lies and greed, by his own life instead of getting a reward. The Lord Christ spoke of the devil, saying: “There is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8: 44); and it is said: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord; But those who deal truthfully are his delight” (Proverbs 12: 22) Lying is prohibited by strong words and warnings; like those of the prophet: “The boastful shall not stand in Your sight” (Psalm 5: 6); and: “The lying mouth kills the soul” (Wisdom. 1: 11). Abbot Joseph1 From the first day that I was called a Christian, no lies came out of my mouth. Anba Anub2 2- DAVID LAMENTS HIS PEOPLE: David and his men did not rejoice for what happened to Saul, who, for so long opposed them; nor thought of who would ascend the throne after him and the glory that awaited them; but mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, who had fallen by the sword. Solomon the son of David took after him those feelings of compassion, and said: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord sees it, and it displeases Him, and He turns away His wrath from him” (Proverb 24: 17, 18); and, “He who is glad at calamity, will not go unpunished” (Proverb 17: 5). A spiritual man does not rejoice for the troubles that befall his enemies; but with his great heart, he will moan; not only with his human adversaries, but even with the harmful animals. He seeks peace and happiness of all creation! His heart is wide enough to embrace everyone and every thing! Nobody mourned Saul, and lamented him from his depths, like the man whom Saul persecuted together with his men, for so many years. In this, David carried a shadow of the Lord Christ who wept for the fallen Jerusalem, that used every energy she got to destroy Him (Matthew 23: 37; Luke 13: 34). Our enemies are more in need of our tears, than our friends; Loving them, we weep for their loss of salvation, because of their animosity and entreat God to work in everyone for the salvation of all. We marvel at what David did - the true king, who was secretly anointed by the 1 St. Cassian: Conf. 17: 15. 2 The Sayings of Desert Fathers, Anba Anoub 8 prophet Samuel by God’s command - when he heard the news of the death of the rejected king; Instead of condemning or defaming him, he mourned and lamented him. How great would be our sin, as we condemn others, especially the shepherds, set by God to minister to His people?! 3- DAVID PUNISHES THE AMALEKITE: David wondered how any man would dare to boast that he killed the Lord’s anointed, while wounded in battle; that is why he asked the lad: “Where have you come from? To which he answered: ‘I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.’ And when he asked him: ‘How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed? As the lad did not expect that question, he kept silent; and by his silence he condemned himself; So David said: ‘Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying: ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed’ “(2 Samuel 1: 13-16). 4- DAVID’S LAMENTATION OVER SAUL AND JONATHAN: Every faithful soul would stand in awe before that amazing lamentation song, to salute the true love springing from David’s heart, toward his persecutor Saul, and his friend Jonathan. David’s emotions were so shaken by that news, that he could not keep his tears from flowing, nor his tongue from uttering that touching song. St. Ambrose says: [Sparing Saul’s life, may be considered of less importance, compared to David’s grief over his death in war; He mourned him with tears, saying: “O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, nor let there be no rain upon you ..., etc.” (2 Samuel 1: 21). Can a mother mourn for her only son, as David did for his enemy?! Can man praise someone who did him good, as David did for him, who planned for his own destruction?! He mourned for him with all his emotions and deep feelings1!] David the prophet told the sons of Judah to teach their children the ‘Song of the bow,’ that was quoted in the Book of Jasher; a book of poetry and literature, and not one of the books of the Holy Scripture (See also Joshua 10: 13; 1 Kings 8: 35). David called his lamentation, ‘the song of the bow’; probably remembering the bow of Jonathan, his beloved friend (2 Samuel 1: 22). And probably that name refers to the description, saying, “The Lord is a man of war” (Exodus 15: 3); whose bow are His men, whom He uses to the account of His kingdom2. That song by which David lamented Saul and Jonathan, is actually that of ‘the bow of the Lord,’ that creates a zeal in the life of every believer, to strive spiritually, to become a ‘bow’ in the hand of God. This song or lamentation, is not a psalm inspired by God, but a poem that reveals feelings of love and loyalty3. “The beauty Glory, O Israel lies slain on your high places!. How the mighty have fallen!” (2 Samuel 1: 19). Saul, his son, and his men, were mighty worriers who were not expected to fall so soon as they were a support for many; and when they fell, all fell after them. “Tell it not in Gath; Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon-lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph” 1Duties of the Clergy 3: 9 (61). 2 Cf. Nelson: A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, 1969. p 318. 3 راجع تعليقات على هذه المرثاة في كتاب "السنن القويم في تفسير أسفار العهد القديم" : صموئيل الثاني. 9 (2 Samuel 1: 20). He chose ‘Gath’ , being the greatest of the cities of the Philistines; and ‘Ashkelon’ where the greatest temples of the goddess ‘Ashtoreth’ were located, and where the armors of Saul and Jonathan were probably displayed (1 Samuel 31: 10). “O mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew, nor let there be rain upon you, nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, From the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul, did not return empty” (2 Samuel 1 21, 22). These are all poetic expressions, that portray how serious the catastrophe that happened on the mountains of Gilboa, that were covered by royal blood, the blood of the mighty. He entreats God to let no dew nor rain fall on them, to let them turn dry and barren; to let no fields produce fruits, for offerings to the Lord, or on which tithes are due, because of their devastation. The weapons of the mighty fell; Saul’s sword was not anointed with oil to fight with; He fell on it, and his blood anointed it instead of oil. The weapons of Saul and Jonathan, that were all the time busy fighting the enemy, are now fighting no more! David remembered Saul’s numerous triumphs over his enemies (1 Samuel 14: 47). “Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions” (2 Samuel 1: 23). David revealed the purity of his heart, by not uttering a single word against Saul, but praised him together with Jonathan, his dear friend; He looked at both of them as beloved. Actually Jonathan loved his father, and remained a support to him in the royal court, faithful in his work, pleasant in his behavior, and closely attached to him, until the moments of death. Although he did not feel comfortable with his father’s attitude toward David, and did not partake of his erroneous acts, yet he never betrayed him, but was always frank with him, and obedient to him in the truth. Saul, in his turn, dearly loved his son, doing his best to deliver the throne to him after his death. David praised them for their swiftness and courage in battle, likening them to eagles and lions. “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel” (2 Samuel 1: 24). Saul had his bad points and sins of rebellion, stubbornness, insanity and envy; Yet David disregarded all that in his song reminding the weeping women of his mighty achievements; He fought and conquered; and the land in his time settled down in peace, to let the women be clothed in scarlet, and adorned with gold, being secure from the enemies and from captivity. “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women” (2 Samuel 1: 26). The love of women is so amazing in leaving the houses of their fathers and families, in getting attached to their men; and in serving them if they fell sick ... Jonathan’s love was even sweeter. He stayed in his father’s house, bore his reproaches for the sake of David. Although he was aware that David might take away his throne, he joyfully prepared the way for him to do that; even offering his own life for his sake. He was truly wonderful in his love! What could be more sweet than the true brotherly love, when man seeks, not what is his, but what is his friend’s! St. John Chrysostom comments on Jonathan’s sweet love for David, saying: [had 10 Jonathan ever envied David? Definitely not; though there was every cause for envy. Although he realized during events, that the kingdom would surely cross over him to David ,he did not harbor any feeling of envy toward him. He did not think one moment that David was going to deprive him of his right to his father’s throne; but he actually preferred it that way and did his best to deliver it to him. Yet at the same time, he did not forsake his father for his friend! Do not think that he ever betrayed his father! He did not harm him, although he persistently opposed his unjust actions ... He did not allow his father to become a murderer; but, several times, he was ready to die for his friend’s sake. His conscience was free ... And thus justice was connected to friendship1] . As to how David exchanged Jonathan’s love with his love, St. John Chrysostom says: {He did not get the chance to pay him back ... as Jonathan was slain before David ascends to the throne. Yet the righteous David proclaimed his friendship as much as he could; saying: [You have been very pleasant to me, my brother Jonathan.] [And he did more than that, by saving Jonathan’s son as well as his grandson from danger; and remained for them the support and protector, as if they were his own children2] . 1 In 2 Tim. hom. 7. 2 Ibid.
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