By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
RESPECTED
2 Samuel 1:22–27; 2:1–7
Within the books of historical narrative, 1 Samuel records the transition from the judges period to the monarchy under Saul and 2 Samuel records David’s reign as king. In 1–2 Kings, the account of Solomon’s reign precedes the split of the kingdom under his son Rehoboam, after which comes the eventual fall of Israel in the north and Judah in the south. All of this provides context for the reader who may be unfamiliar with Old Testament history.
God raises up individuals to lead His people. Sometimes He gives them leaders they ask for and deserve, as He did with Saul. At other times He raises up leaders who will govern His people well and point them to worship and honor God, as He did with David. Regardless of the leader Scripture calls Christians to submit to those who hold authority over them (see Acts 23:5 and Heb. 13:17).
Commemoration (1:22–27)
“What a strange response,” some might say as David commemorated Saul’s life with poetry. King Saul had pursued David throughout the land of Israel, seeking to put him to death. Twice David spared Saul’s life (1 Sam. 24:1–7; 26:1–11) because David chose to honor the king God had appointed over Israel. Why did David sing a funeral dirge for the king who had been so jealous of his popularity that he wanted to kill David (1 Sam. 18:6–9)?
The answer is honor, both for God and for the king. For all the injustice David experienced at the hand of Saul, this man was his ruler. His son Jonathan was David’s closest friend, one to whom David entrusted his life when Saul was seeking to destroy him. Upon hearing of their deaths, David utilized his creative gift of poetry and his love for Saul and his family to honor the fallen king.
Coronation (2:1–4a)
David’s coronation came as a fulfillment of prophecy and as a foreshadowing of the promised Messiah. Prior to Jacob’s death in Egypt, he blessed each of his sons with a prayer and a prophecy. Regarding Judah, Jacob prophesied: “The scepter will not depart from Judah … until he whose right it is [or “until Shiloh”] comes” (Gen. 49:10). God’s later covenant with David (2 Sam. 7:12–13) was that his anointed descendant would reign over the eternal kingdom.
In this passage David demonstrated his dependence upon God. He sought God’s counsel and he obeyed God’s direction. Hebron served as his base of operation for the first seven years of his reign (1 Kings 2:11). Though David had been anointed privately while Saul still ruled (1 Sam. 16:10–13), an official coronation took place in which David was anointed as king over the tribe of Judah (2 Sam. 2:4a).
Commendation (2:4b–7)
David continued to honor Saul through his commendation of the men who buried him. While this may seem like nothing more than political gamesmanship, David’s conviction to honor the Lord’s anointed continued even after Saul’s death (see 2 Sam. 1:11–16). David waited patiently during the reign of Saul and he would continue waiting while Saul’s son Ish-bosheth (“man of shame,” also known as Esh-Baal, “man of Baal”) reigned over the rest of Israel’s tribes (2 Sam. 2:9).
The Apostle Paul instructed the church at Rome, living under a dictatorial emperor, to “give honor to whom honor is due” (Rom. 13:7). Peter wrote to “honor the emperor” (1 Pet. 2:17) and for household servants to honor their employers, “not only the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel” (1 Pet. 2:18). God’s grace through Christ enables us to respect, honor and obey leaders to whom God has entrusted leadership over us.
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