The young man who brought David the news of Saul’s death assumed that David would be delighted to hear this. In fact, he lied about the events claiming that he himself had killed Saul. He would have felt sure that David would have rewarded him handsomely. But David was grief stricken. His grief was not just related to Saul’s death but over the whole affair. He was grieved that things had to end this way, that is, with the defeat of Israel including the death of his beloved friend Jonathan. When we hear of the death of an evil person, we might feel justified to rejoice over his fall. Such a death may herald an end to widespread suffering, so in one sense it is natural to be glad about such a thing. But there is a bigger picture we must take hold of in these times. God does not delight in the death of even the most wicked person because his desire is that everyone would turn from evil and futility and be reconciled to him. When a person dies without having done this it is an occasion to mourn for that unrealised possibility. Never delight in the misfortune of others, however much you might feel they deserve it. In this age the heart of God is set on showing grace. Wherever his grace remains unrealised there is cause for sadness. “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles” (Proverbs 24:17).
Pray for those whom you feel are most opposed to you at this time.
Read 2 Samuel 1
