August 7 - 2 Samuel 1:1-10

August 7 - 2 Samuel 1:1-10

 

1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag.  2  And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.  3  David said to him, “Where do you come from?”

And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”  4  And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”  5  Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”  6  And the young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him.  7  And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’  8  And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’  9  And he said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’  10  So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

 

This account of Saul’s death is quite different from what we previously read.  My first thoughts were confusing.  Then I thought to myself how often we embellish the truth to make things more interesting or to impress someone.  Perhaps the armor bearer intentions were the same, to impress David as he recognized David would be the next king. 

 

How often do we fall into this same trap?  God was the author of truth.  Never question whether being truthful is right.  It is always right.  Pray today that your motives will be pure and truthful and reflect the ultimate true sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.