The Rise and Fall of King David

David: King of Judah - Conquest

First 7.5 years

I. David Weeps (2 Samuel 1)

We ended last time talking about this event - tonight I want to go into it just a little more:

Read 2 Samuel 1:1-16

2 Samuel 1:1–16 KJV 1900

1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. 3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? 6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. 8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. 11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed? 15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. 16 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.

David Weeps - means that David Laments - 2 Sam 1:17

2 Samuel 1:17 KJV 1900

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

David laments means that he deliberately takes on the role of chief mourner - The Hebrew text here emphasizes David did both the mourning and was the mourner.

David shows great emotion - but it was a sincere emotion -

Yes people hired people in those days to come and mourn - but David is doing this from his heart

He genuinely mourned the loss of God’s anointed Saul and his close friend Jonathan. Even though he had been previously anointed privately to rule over Israel.

What is interesting, however is that while he is mourning and weeping over the loss of Saul and Jonathan - He also requires the people of Judah to learn his lament song.

Its called “The Song of the Bow” a lament, an elegy, a funeral dirge

It was preserved in the book of Jasher - or the Book of The Righteous

“The Book of Jasher was an ancient collection of Israelite heroic songs and historical poetry now lost to history, referenced in Scripture but never part of Scripture — and God did not preserve it because He preserved everything necessary for our faith within the 66 books.”

We have this preserved for us by the author of 2 Samuel

The Song of the Bow is in three strophes or similar to our term stanza (although some see four)

STROPHE 1 — Israel’s Devastation (vv. 19–21)

The lament opens with shock and a curse on Gilboa.

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! (EVERY STROPHE WILL USE THIS LINE)

20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; (don’t publicize”) lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

(A CURSE UPON THE SCENE OF ISRAEL’S DEFEAT) 21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. (it was always engaged in battled - did not need to be oiled)

STROPHE 2 — The Valor of Saul and Jonathan (vv. 22–25)

This strophe memorializes Saul and Jonathan as mighty warriors - with a call for Israel to weep.

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, - (Because it was driven deep into the flesh of the enemy) and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, (David talks about the relationship between Saul and Jonathan) and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

Saul knew from his meeting with Samuel that he and his sons would die in battle, yet he entered the contest determined to do his best

Jonathan knew of his father’s sins against David, yet he stayed by his side in the fight

David wanted people to remember the greatness of the king and his sons, despite the army’s defeat

24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

STROPHE 3 — David’s Personal Grief for Jonathan (vv. 26–27)

The lament moves from national to intensely personal.

26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

The final strophe is a brief “aftertone of sorrow” that concludes the ode:

“Oh how are the mighty fallen,

The instruments of war perished!”

Interestingly, “instruments of war” is not a literal reference to weapons, but a figurative expression referring to the heroes who conducted war

A provocative additional note: Interestingly, there are no religious sentiments expressed in this lament, and no special reference to God. It’s possible the lament originally circulated in a secular context before finding its place in the biblical narrative

“When Tears Prepare You for Tomorrow” (Forward-Looking Ending)

A hopeful ending that naturally launches the next sermon.

“David’s lament closes chapter 1, but it does not close David’s story. This night of tears becomes the soil for the next chapter of God’s plan.

And isn’t that always how the Lord works?

We cry today… but God is preparing tomorrow.

We mourn losses… but God is preparing leadership.

We face sorrow… but God is preparing strength.

David humbled himself, he wept honestly, he honored the Lord’s anointed, and then—God lifted him up. The next chapter begins with the words: ‘And it came to pass… the Lord said, Go up.’ God had more. God had a future. God had a calling ready for him.

So tonight, let me encourage you: Your tears may be real, but so is God’s tomorrow. The God who met David in his lament will meet you in yours—and lead you forward into His purpose.”

II. David Waits (2 Samuel 2:1–7)

• Seeking God’s Will • Starting Small (Judah first) • Showing Kindness (Jabesh-gilead)

III. David Wars (2 Samuel 2:8–3:21)

• Rivalry with Ishbosheth • Abner’s duplicity • Joab’s fury

IV. David Walks Uprightly (2 Samuel 3:22–4:12)

• Denounces injustice • Distances himself from bloodshed • Deals with murderers rightly

Conclusion:

Weeping, waiting, warring, and walking upright — this is how God shapes a heart worthy of a throne.