The Amazing Old Testament: How the Mighty Have Fallen

  After many years of tense episodes, moments of love and warmth, jealousy, rivalry, and even murderous intentions, the tumultuous relationship between King Saul and his successor, David, came to a tragic end (1 Samuel 31). In an ill-advised, doomed battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, Saul was seriously wounded by an archer’s arrow. When his armor-bearer failed to end things, Saul fell on his own sword and died – along with his three sons, including David’s beloved friend Jonathan. Cruelly, the Philistines cut off their heads and toted them and their armor village to village as trophies, boasting of their victory. Their bodies they nailed to the city wall at Beth-Shean. A grisly end to a troubled reign for Saul.

Many had longed for David to be king, and David (a cocky show-off) didn’t entirely shun the attention and glory. He’d married Michal, Saul’s daughter, and then treated her shabbily. Saul organized troops to kill David. But it’s fascinating: when the news finally made its way to David that Saul and Jonathan had died in battle, David didn’t believe it at first. After getting all the details, David rent his clothes, and wept aloud for hours and refused to eat. His grief was for… his close friend Jonathan? Or for the people of Israel? or even for Saul? Can’t one mourn his most resolute enemy once he has fallen?