“Then David pronounced this lament over Sha’ul and over Y’honatan his son, in order to teach the people of Y’hudah [not to underestimate] archery (the lament has been written down in the book of Yashar):”-2 Samuel 1:17-18
We’re told David did a special thing to commemorate Saul’s death.
He was so moved he composed a special poem for Saul and his close friend Jonathan.
In verse 18, your Bible will say the purpose of this poem was to teach the people of Judah the value of archery.
I don’t buy that.
The Hebrew here is QESHETH or קֶשֶׁת.
It doesn’t mean “archery”, it means a “bow.”
The word relates to anything with a bow-like or curved form.
For example, it can also refer to a “rainbow” due to its curved shape, as described when God places a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant with Noah.
So it’s more likely “The Bow” was just the name of the poem.
It had nothing to do with trying to impress upon the people of Judah the importance of archery in combat.
David’s motivation was to compose a eulogy so that his tribe Judah would remember Saul, Israel’s first king, as well as Jonathan, his close friend.
This leads to the takeaway for today.
David’s actions demonstrate that he truly loved his enemies.
Saul had tried to kill David many times.
And in return, David was given two opportunities to kill Saul.
David could’ve retaliated, but he never did.
He never grew bitter.
He always sought reconciliation.
And even after Saul died, David’s heart was still in a place of forgiveness toward Saul.
I can only pray I’ll be able to exercise such grace toward my enemies when being persecuted.
See ya all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, love your enemies,
bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who spitefully
use you and persecute you,
that you may be sons of
your Father in heaven;
for He makes His sun
rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the
just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you,
what reward have you?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brethren only,
what do you do more than others?
Do not even the tax collectors do so?
Therefore you shall be perfect,
just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
-Matthew 5:43-48
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