Foundations Week 17, Day 1

Scripture Read: 2 Samuel 1; 2:1 - 7
Title: David Mourn's Saul's Death/ David is Anointed King
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you.  And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.  Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."  2 Samuel 2:6, 7

(E) Explain:  When David hears about the death of King Saul and his sons, he is devastated.  He hears about their death from an Amalekite who assisted in killing Saul.  Upon hearing his testimony, David has the Amalekite executed for his crime of killing the king.  
David is anointed king over the house of Judah.  When he heard about the men of Jabesh-gilead giving Saul a proper burial David honors them by giving them a blessing for their kindness.  He encourages them to be strong and valiant since their king is dead and to know that he is now the anointed king of Judah.

(A) Application:   One would think that David would be celebrating in the streets now that the man who pursued him and sought to kil him was dead.  This was not the case.  David had high respect and regard for the position of the king.  On numerous occassions David spared the life of Saul when he could have easily killed him.  David gives us a true picture of what mercy, respect, forgiveness, and kindness look like.  We read earlier in 1 Samuel that the LORD chose David to be the next king because he was a man after God's own heart.  David could easily have been bitter against Saul because of the anguish and pain he caused him, but he wasn't.  He was grieved because David may not have had high regards for Saul the person, but he respected the position of being the LORD's anointed.  I know I can learn a thing or two about forgiveness from David's response to Saul's death. 

(R) Respond: LORD, you know my heart.  You know how I can be when it comes to forgiveness.  Help me to become more like David when it comes to showing forgiveness. 
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