The Ruins
One Year Bible (May 21)
I Samuel 29:1-31:13
“The Ruins”
“When David and his men saw ‘The Ruins’ and realized what had happened to their families, they wept until they could weep no more.” (I Samuel 29:1-31:13.
David’s two wives were among those captured. David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk about stoning him.
“But David found strength in the Lord His God.” (I Sam. 29: 6)
This day begins in “The Ruins” and will end in “RUINS”.
The Word of the Lord will come true on this day, “But IF you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away." (I Samuel 13:9)
However, there will be NO rejoicing for the new King of Israel! His grief will be profound!
David, once again, seeks counsel from the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” (30:7)
First of all, I never realized how much of a running conversation David had with God. He is always asking Him questions and obeying his direction. This is one of my favorite teachable moments in reading through the Old Testament. No wonder God calls David a “Man after my own heart”. David sought out the Lord.
Secondly, God has an ongoing conversation with David. He tells him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” (30:8)
David takes his 600 men, (This number has grown a bit.) and he recovers his wives. The Bible tells us that “Nothing was missing, small or great.” (30:19) He recovered ALL… just as God had told him.
However, this was the “Tomorrow” that “Seanced Samuel” warned Saul about when he disobeyed God by using a Medium to find out his future. His future was sealed that day, and his kingdom would be required of him.
On this day, the Philistines attacked Israel. Saul was wounded severely and his three sons--Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua were all killed fighting beside him. Saul asks his armor-bearer to end his misery and prevent the Philistines from getting ahold of him to torture and kill. He refuses to kill a king, so Saul falls on his own sword and his armor-bearer follows right behind him.
They cut off Saul’s head! Just as Goliath had been presented to Saul, now Saul would be presented in the pagan temple. Pagan behavior results in tragic pagan consequences.
What is David’s response to his mortal enemy being mortally killed and disgraced publicly?
Let’s jump ahead a little bit and see…
“David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s army and the nation of Israel because they had died by the sword that day.” (2 Samuel 1:11-12)
Look what David has to say about Saul and Jonathan in their death,
“Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen in battle!” (2 Samuel 1:25)
David mourns the death of his friend and brother, Jonathan. He also mourns the loss of Saul who was father, family, and foe to David! The sting of loss in a dysfunctional family can be tremendous and overwhelming. There are so many “What If’s”... So much unfinished business.
Do you realize that Jonathan, the godly son, is killed in battle along with his father? However, Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, who is forty years old at this time, is left untouched and unscathed!
How very wrong this must feel to David!!
Jonathan laid down his life for David and gave up his rightful place as heir to the throne so that David could be the next anointed king.
Saul’s son who is much like Saul now becomes the king, in Saul’s place. Ishbosheth ruled over Mahanaim for two years. David only rules over part of the kingdom (Judah) after Saul’s death and this goes on for seven years.
The saga of Saul’s fallen Dynasty is far from over. The battle will continue…
The “Mighty Warrior” has fallen… physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Can you say, “Messed Up”? David’s grief must have been profound!
There is no rejoicing on this day...
The pain of this has left David “In Ruins”.
