He Weeps for Saul

Context

For about a decade, David had been running for his life from one man: Saul, the king who threw a spear at him twice and hunted him through the desert with three thousand soldiers. Twice David had Saul cornered in that chase. Twice he refused to take the shot, because he wouldn't touch the man God anointed.

Then a runner sprinted into David's camp from the battle up north, carrying Saul's crown and bracelet.

Story

The runner kneels, basically expecting a reward for the news. He goes, the king is dead, Jonathan's dead, the army scattered. And then, gambling everything, he goes, I'm the one who killed Saul. He asked me to. So I did.

He waits for relief on David's face. He gets none of it.

David tears his clothes on the spot. His men tear theirs. They fast until evening and weep until they can't anymore, for the man who spent ten years trying to kill the man now sobbing on the ground for him.

Then David turns to the runner with a question that lands nothing like he expected.

"How were you not afraid to lift your hand against the Lord's anointed."

The runner has no answer. David has him executed. Then he sits down and writes a song for both Saul and Jonathan, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions, and commands that every child in Judah be taught it.

What We Learn

David could have celebrated. Anyone watching would have understood. But he doesn't see a rival removed. He sees a king fallen, the friend he loved lying next to him, and a kingdom that lost something it'll never get back.

I keep wondering what it would take to grieve the person whose downfall would make my life easier. To not feel that small private flicker of relief.

David doesn't celebrate the win. He weeps for the cost.