2 Samuel 1: David learns of Saul and Jonathon’s deaths

Synopsis:

A few days after Saul is killed, an unnamed Amalekite with rent clothes and dirt in his hair tells David that Saul and Jonathon are dead and that he killed Saul at Saul’s request and took his crown and arm band to give to David.  David and his mean tear their clothes and start to morn. Then, at evening, David has his men kill the messenger for killing God’s anointed (Saul). The rest of the chapter is the lamentation of David for Saul and his beloved Jonathon, especially Jonathon, whose love “was wonderful, passing the love of women.”

In other words: 

David learns of Saul and Jonathon’s death and kills the messenger.

Favorite bit:

2 Samuel 1:26 – 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 women.

Least favorite bit:

2 Samuel 1:14-16 – Jonathan has the messenger killed for killing Saul (God’s anointed – even thou Saul had asked him to – and he had brought the news & the crown to David). He literally killed the messenger. But I suppose it was to make sure he wasn’t seen as having endorsed the murder of his rival.

Really rather cool: 

The lamentations from 2 Samuel 1:17-27 – oh how the mighty have fallen in the midst of battle and the weapons of war perished! (paraphrased)

Oddest bit:

2 Samuel 1:18 – an aside within the lamentation includes this bit – which doesn’t really fit. “(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold it is written in the book of Jasher:)”

Moral lesson learned:

Don’t be the guy who has to tell a war chief that his homosexual lover has been killed. (1 Samuel 2)