2 Samuel 1-3
King Saul and his son Jonathan were dead, both victims in battle. A messenger brought that word to David, and David and his men “mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword—for Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel” (2 Sam 1:12). The combination of the terms, “mourned, wept, and fasted” shows the depth of grief David experienced when he heard this tragic news.
In David’s lament over their deaths, he repeated this refrain three times: “How the mighty have fallen!” (2 Sam. 1:19, 25, 27). The words are in essence an exclamation that attempts to capture the tragedy and the grief, but that cannot adequately describe the situation. The king and his son were dead—and David could only weep over their demise.
The scenarios are different and the comparisons are not exact, but the tragedy of Saul’s fall in particular reminds me how possible it is for all of us to fall. . . . especially when we think we are mighty.
RESPONSE: Pray that your spiritual heroes today will finish well.
