God’s Perfect Timing
2 Samuel 1–2
Paul J. Bucknell
Saul’s pitiful end | David’s new beginning | Questions
2. A New Beginning - David (2 Samuel 1-2)
“Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. 12 And 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. 13 And 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 And 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.’” 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!”
(2 Samuel 1:11-19)
Finer Testing Moments
How does a person behave once they are in power? We really don’t know what we’re like until we’re tested. Many people are fine before they take on a certain position, but whether it’s power, wealth, ease, or pride, they can go bad like Saul did, and as a result, they end up worse than they were at the beginning.
Let’s examine what in these verses emphasizes David’s gentleness after he has essentially secured his royal position. David became very tender-hearted following his tough situation where he realized how he had drifted away from the Lord (1 Sam 30).
- David generally showed respect for Saul even after his death.
- David and his men mourned for Saul and his sons, even weeping and fasting (1:11-12). Somehow, David managed to lead his men in grief. There was something about David’s respect for Saul that left no room for bitterness—only mercy.
- David executed the man who claimed to have killed Saul (1:13-16). The man lied about killing King Saul, but regardless, the incident still demonstrates David’s respect for God’s anointed.
- David sang a deeply heartfelt lament later in chapter 1 (1:17-27). There is no hint of superficiality, only a very sincere song that expresses genuine love for Saul and his sons. David had forgiven his enemy. It seems this forgiving spirit is what God appreciated most about David.
- David did not rush in as King and General (2:1-3). After all these years, he could have walked in as the one who “I told you so.” He did no such thing. He sought God as he should have earlier on.
- David spoke kindly to the men of Jabesh-Gilead (2:5-7). These men rescued Saul and his sons’ bodies after they were killed. David didn’t yell at them but promised to help them in their pursuits. They were now on the same team. Truly, David had no hidden hatred for King Saul.
The training we receive through life experiences–heart training–is more important than securing a position.
Recasting a Vision
David had countless dashed hopes over the years, making it difficult to reshape his vision for the kingdom. When David was finally broken (ch. 30), his lost dream ultimately resurfaced. However, he was very careful not to repeat his previous mistakes. David humbly asked God two important questions that he had not asked before.
- What should I do? Should he go to Judah and become king (2:1)?
- Where should I go? What city should he go to (2:1)?
Though David was anointed earlier (1 Sam 16:13), the men of Judah anointed and installed him as King of Judah (2:4). I assume this brought back many memories from long ago. Much had passed since the time he was a boy, and now the kingdom seeks him to be king. But even here, we see David not aggressively seeking the whole kingdom but waiting for God’s timing.
David was not alone in working through the broken vision syndrome. This reflects the biblical pattern seen in Joseph, David, and Jesus.
- Joseph had a dream, but it was realized only after many years.
- David had an anointing as king, but it only came to fruition later.
- Jesus also had an anointing but faced much rejection at the cross, making the promise of success seem empty until after His resurrection.
“God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons we could learn in no other way? – C. S. Lewis
Lesson
God’s definition of success includes moral character training (heart training), because otherwise, the evil one will find ways to sneak into the holes of our hearts and corrupt God’s good work. Have you seriously considered God when making your short- and long-term plans? Are you more interested in God’s will and purpose or your own?
- Do you find yourself impatient for success?
- What area of your life is God working on right now? (Probably your problem area!)
- Instant success is dangerous because we are little prepared for it.
- Redefine success by seeing the small, daily, faithful decisions rather than the big accomplishments that others see.
Conclusion
1 Samuel ends almost awkwardly — very different from the Book of Revelation. The way God worked through this situation might suggest that He was not involved at all. He allowed many corrupt things to happen (Gen 6). Our world isn’t any different, is it? Yet, because of God’s incredible mercy, the Lord corrected Saul and David for some of their weaknesses. (David didn’t deserve any grace, but like Abram and all of us, he experienced it.) Jesus, however, deserved grace and mercy but received none. He died the death of a terrible criminal on the cross, taking our sins upon Himself.