Giving Due Honor

2 Samuel 1:23-27
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How the mighty are fallen in the midst of battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. 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 woman. How the mighty are fallen, and the weapons of war perished.

David is a very classy guy. He continues to Behave Wisely. We just completed the action packed narrative on the tragic decisions of Saul. He was relentless in chasing David from place to place. Saul tried hard to end David's life. If anyone had a right to hate another person David could be justified in such hate. Yet we see just how gracious David is.

The sad news comes, Saul and Jonathan are slain in battle. David is grief struck. This chapter is chocked full of heart felt words that eulogizes well the life of these National hero's. We would do well by reading this tribute to others regularly, incorporating them in our praise of those who touch our lives both for good and even those who do bad against us.

Verse 23 David honors the lovely and pleasant life of his best friend and his earthly enemy. I believe that David proved his loyalty to the leadership of God's appointed ruler. David chose to see only the lovely and pleasant parts, no need to focus on the negative!

David gives a special place of honor to Jonathan, David recognizes the overwhelming trait displayed by Jonathan. One of loyalty! "in their death they were not divided:". When we pass on I hope others will find us faithful. I pray that the Lord will find me faithful to the end!

Verse 24 David wants others to remember the good things not the bad. He rehearses well known facts. Saul Clothed you in scarlet and other delights. Saul put on them ornaments of gold (even) on their clothes. We due well when we remember those who help us get where we are and what we have.

Verse 25 David laments Jonathan "how the mighty are fallen" David honors the memory of Jonathan by ascribing his death as a very honorable one, by saying, "Thou wast slain in thine high places". To die in the battle is honorable! To die faithful is more honorable!

Verse 26 David reveals the huge hole in his heart. He is sick in his spirit as he grieves the loss of his best friend. David shows his emotions, he proclaims that he is "distressed" over the loss. He calls Jonathan his brother (family loss is the hardest to get over). He exposes his inner most feelings about the relationship he had with Jonathan. David allowed everyone to know that he felt his friendship was more than the ordinary. he states "thy love to me was wonderful" Rarely do we get an earthly friendship that transcends the platonic level. I pray that we are given such a gift of friendship here on earth that rivals this example. A glimpse of how strong this brotherly love was David reveals that Jonathan's love was "passing the love of women".

Verse 27 David now give recognition of the protection that Saul and Jonathan provided Israel. The face of national Israel had changed! Israel would suffer because their great human protector was gone. David speaks a terrible addendum "the weapons of war perished"

May God grant us the opportunity today to honor someone face to face, not waiting until death parts us!