TOPIC: SHEATH YOUR SWORD!
TEXT: 2 Samuel 1:17-27(NKJV)
- 1:17. Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son,
- 1:18. and he told [them] to teach the children of Judah [the Song of] the Bow; indeed [it is] written in the Book of Jasher:
- 1:19. “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
- 1:20. Tell [it] not in Gath, Proclaim [it] not in the streets of Ashkelon — Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
- 1:21. “O mountains of Gilboa, [Let there be] no dew nor rain upon you, Nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
- 1:22. 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.
- 1:23. “Saul and Jonathan [were] beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.
- 1:24. “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
- 1:25. “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan [was] slain in your high places.
- 1:26. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.
- 1:27. “How the mighty have fallen, And the weapons of war perished!”
STUDY:
David lived in an era when the law “eye for eye, tooth for a tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exod. 21:24&25), was in full operation. It is interesting to note that with all the secret and public display of hatred of king Saul and all the opportunities David had to kill him, the Spirit of God in David made him not to do so (1 Sam. 24:5-7; 26:7-12).
Our text today shows that at Saul’s death, instead of rejoicing and celebrating, David lamented and mourned sincerely. He was a man with a different spirit. He believed that vengeance belongs to God and He would repay. Beloved, sheath your sword! Please do not go ahead with your intention of paying back that wrong. Leave it all to God. Please do not rejoice because your perceived enemy is now in one trouble or the other. Do not rejoice over the calamity of those who hurt you.
Let God handle all situations for you. Let him fight for you while you hold your peace. The bible advises us to mourn with those who mourn. Do not laugh when people are in pain. The desire of Jesus is that you bless those who curse you do good to those who hate you; and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you that you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:44-45). You can do it by the grace of God.
PRAYER:
Lord, I receive grace to leave vengeance for you, in Jesus’ Name.
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