"THE WEIGHT OF LOSS"

Proposition - As we embark on our study of 2 Samuel chapter one today we will look at the weight of loss that David experiences. We will examine three aspects: 1) David’s despair, 2) David’s decisive justice, and 3) David’s dignified remembrance.

Interrogative Question - What steps can you take to seek justice and truth in challenging situations?

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 1) 1:1–16 Second Samuel continues the narrative begun in 1 Samuel—the two books were originally one work in antiquity as a 200 BC manuscript from the Dead Sea Scrolls shows. Following his successful mission against the Amalekite raiders (1 Sam 30:17–20), David returns to rebuild Ziklag. Three days later, a young man arrives with a report from the war between the Israelites and Philistines (1 Sam 31). David learns of Saul’s death, circa 1011 BC, and kills the man claiming to be responsible for ending Saul’s life.

Logos AI - Teaching: The teaching focuses on the significance of mourning and honoring those we lose, illustrating how David's response sets a precedent for dealing with our own losses. It also emphasizes the value of compassion, even toward those who may have been perceived as enemies.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage foreshadows the greater grief of Jesus at the death of His friends and His own suffering for humanity. Just as David mourns, Jesus, the greater David, weeps for the brokenness of the world, revealing God's heart for relationship and reconciliation.

1. David's Despair -

2 Samuel 1:1–12 NASB95

1 Now it came about after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David remained two days in Ziklag. 2 On the third day, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and dust on his head. And it came about when he came to David that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself. 3 Then David said to him, “From where do you come?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 David said to him, “How did things go? Please tell me.” And he said, “The people have fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.” 5 So David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”

Who are the Amalekites?

Why do you think that his clothes were torn and dust was on his head?

Where did he tell David that he came from?

What was his report?

2 Samuel 1:1–12 NASB95

6 The young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen pursued him closely. 7 “When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 8 “He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 “Then he said to me, ‘Please stand beside me and kill me, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.’ 10 “So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” 11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

What does the young man tell David?

What specifically does the young man tell David in verse 8 and 9?

Wait a minute what did we learn last week? (did Saul die in the last chapter of 1 Samuel?)

How do we reconcile these two accounts?

How does David react to the news?

The MacArthur Study Bible (Chapter 1) 1:10 killed him. The Amalekite claimed responsibility for Saul’s death, saying that Saul was still alive when he found him. However, 1 Sam. 31:3–6 makes it clear that Saul died by falling on his own sword, not by the hand of the Amalekite. Thus, this man, who may have witnessed Saul’s suicide, claimed to have killed Saul when in reality he had only reached his body before the Philistines and had fabricated the story to ingratiate himself with the new king by killing his enemy and by bringing Saul’s crown and bracelet to David. The crown and bracelet in the hands of the Amalekite show that he was the first to pass by the body of Saul.

Logos AI - You could begin by examining the depth of David's grief upon hearing the news of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths. Perhaps focus on how his mourning reflects a profound respect for their lives despite past conflicts. Encourage teens to see that it is okay to process emotions deeply and seek comfort in loss. This lays a foundation for understanding grief as a journey that honors not just those we've lost but also our relationship with God, who also grieves over human suffering and loss.

2. David’s Decisive Justice -

2 Samuel 1:13–16 NASB95

13 David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.” 14 Then David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15 And David called one of the young men and said, “Go, cut him down.” So he struck him and he died. 16 David said to him, “Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’ ”

In what ways does David turn the tables on the young man?

How did the young man respond?

Why do you think that David had him killed?

How do you think that David was so respectful to a man that hated his guts?

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 1) 1:14 How is it you were not afraid … to destroy the LORD’s anointed? See note on 1 Sam. 24:6. As a sojourner who was subject to the laws of Israel (Lev. 24:22), the Amalekite should have recognized the sanctity of Saul as his king (contrast Saul’s armor-bearer; 1 Sam. 31:4–5). David himself had refrained from killing Saul (1 Samuel 24; 26). Clearly, David did not ascend to the throne through violence or disloyalty (cf. note on 2 Sam. 1:1–27).

Logos AI - Perhaps explore how when confronted with the Amalekite's account of Saul’s death, David acts decisively against injustice. Highlight how acknowledging the complexity of relationships—even those fraught with challenge—can lead to actions that uphold integrity and righteousness. You could suggest that honoring the lives of those we've lost includes a commitment to justice and truth. This point connects to how teens can pursue righteousness in their lives despite complicated emotions and interactions.

3. David’s Dignified Remembrance -

2 Samuel 1:17–27 NASB95

17 Then David chanted with this lament over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18 and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar. 19 “Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How have the mighty fallen! 20 “Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of the uncircumcised will exult. 21 “O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22 “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.

What is David communicating in these verses?

What positive things does he say about both Saul and Jonathan?

What negative things does he say?

What can we learn from these verses?

2 Samuel 1:17–27 NASB95

23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions. 24 “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25 “How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. 26 “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. 27 “How have the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!”

Logos AI - Maybe you can highlight the poignant elegy David composes for Saul and Jonathan, which celebrates their virtues and the positive impact they had. Emphasize the importance of speaking well of others, focusing on their strengths even amidst loss, which transforms grief into an opportunity for healing and reconciliation. This point could inspire teens to communicate love and respect in both action and speech, mirroring Christ's teachings of love and reconciliation.

SO WHAT?

How can we honor the memories of those we have lost in our own lives?

What does it mean to process our emotions deeply like David did?

In what ways can we show compassion towards those we have had conflicts with?

How can David's example of dignified remembrance inspire you in your relationships?

What steps can you take to seek justice and truth in challenging situations?