My blood was stirred watching The Royal wedding when the congregation sang Jerusalem. The words are strange. They give the impression that Jesus walked through the land of England and preached there. However, it is used quite often for English people to generate patriotic fervour. We sing songs at some great occasions because they tell a story and bind a community together. In teh last couple of hundred years the songs we sing have become more personal, even narcissistic and they lack the power of grand songs that tell a common story.
In church we can sing songs that are happy odes to the self and we can also sing songs that deal with some of the complexities of life. David’s songs were complex in their narration. Maybe more of our modern songs should tell an epic story.
2 Samuel 1
1 After the death of Saul, David returned from striking down the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. 2On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor.
3“Where have you come from?” David asked him.
He answered, “I have escaped from the Israelite camp.”
4“What happened?” David asked. “Tell me.”
“The men fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”
5Then David said to the young man who brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6 “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” the young man said, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and their drivers in hot pursuit. 7When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, ‘What can I do?’
8“He asked me, ‘Who are you?’
“‘An Amalekite,’ I answered.
9“Then he said to me, ‘Stand here by me and kill me! I’m in the throes of death, but I’m still alive.’
10“So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.”
11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
Questions
- What news did the Amalekite bring?
- How did David reward him?
- What did David recall in song?
- What are some significant events in your lifetime?
- Compose a short song of praise or lament (complaint) related to the anwer to 4.
Plymothian 
1.What news did the Amalekite bring?
– A lamentable report that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead
2.How did David reward him?
– He fell to the ground to pay him honor.
3.What did David recall in song?
– Saul and Jonathan’s honorable deaths in battle and especially Jonathan’s loyalty towards David.
4.What are some significant events in your lifetime?
– Parents’ car accident. It was very severe so I thought I could lose both of my parents.
5.Compose a short song of praise or lament (complaint) related to the anwer to 4.
– You could have taken them to your embrace,
There could be a time the roots of my whole life be shaken.
You amazes me by showing how perfect your thought and wisdom are
even when I am unware of your presence.
1) He gave him the report of the battle, telling him that the men fled and Saul and his sons died.
2) He bowed to him, honoring him.
3) He remebered those who died, specifically Jonathon and Saul.
4) One of the most siginificant events was probably the attack on the twin towers on 9/11.
5) Even when our world comes crashing down,
To you alone we bow down
May your name be praised!
1. What news did the Amalekite bring?
The Amelekite told David that he had killed Saul.
2. How did David reward him?
David had him executed.
3. What did David recall in song?
David sang about the wonderful works of Saul and Jonathan.
4. What are some significant events in your lifetime?
My best friend left my school, I went to college,
5. Compose a short song of praise or lament (complaint) related to the anwer to 4.
Oh Lord my God, you have sustained me.
In the Woes of my distress you have uplifted me.
My heart continues to beat only by your lovingkindness.
I will praise you forever for your good works!
-that Saul, Jonathan, and many others are dead.
-David fell to the ground to pay him honor.
-one of them would be applying for my student visa.
-Praise be Your Holy Name, Oh Lord and Savior. Thank You for Your faithfulness and goodness. When I needed You, You were there. You calmed my fears and restless heart. You are good all the time. Praise be Your Name forever and ever.
What news did the Amalekite bring?
The Amalekite King brought news that Saul , Jonathon and many other men are dead.
How did David reward him?
David fell to his knees to Honor Him.
What did David recall in song?
He remembered the ones whom have passed away.
What are some significant events in your lifetime?
My Father dying and becoming a Christian
Compose a short song of praise or lament (complaint) related to the anwer to 4.
Lord your faithfulness does not seem true
I long for something more real than you
I struggle in the morning and wrestle at night
When Oh LORD will you be my Rock and my Rerdeemer
1. He brought news about the battle and about the death of Saul and Jonathon.
2. David didn’t reward him. Instead he killed him.
3. David remembered Saul and Jonathon and mourned for them.
4. salvation, moving to the US, family health issues, Grandpa’s death
5. You’ve been with me through it all,
Since the very beginning,
Leading, guiding, and protecting
Always faithful no matter what befalls me.
1.Saul and his sons are dead.
2.He fell on the ground to pay honor to him.
4.Mission trips, coming to Moody, parents’ divorce
5.Father, I praise You that You have been with me since childhood. Not once have I had to doubt that You will leave me, and You will always be with me.
1.What news did the Amalekite bring? about the death of Saul and his son Jonathan.
2.How did David reward him? David did not reward him but killed him. (v.14)
3.What did David recall in song? He remembered Saul and Jonathan in song
4.What are some significant events in your lifetime? salvation, Father’s salvation, living apart from home for study
5.Compose a short song of praise or lament (complaint) related to the anwer to 4. LORD, You had planed all for my life
and now leading me protecting me loving me hearing me.
I can’t deny your Love that is thorough and perfect.
1. The Amalekite brought the news that Saul had died, and in his last moments of death, he was the one to officially kill him, after he had already fallen on his sword.
2. David does not reward him but rather has him killed for killing Saul, “The Lord’s annointed”.
3. David recalled in song the life of Saul and how he was a mighty ruler, as was Jonathan a mighty man, and he recalled how they both had fallen.
4. Significant events in my lifetime include when I accepted Christ, when parents got divorced, when we moved, when my mom getting cancer, and my acceptance and arrival to Moody.
5. Why O Lord? I am so confused
Your love is unfailing and true I believe
but this hardly feels like love to me
I didn’t know something could scare me so much
the thought of losing my mom leaves me heartbroken
And my heartbreak leaves me wondering if I even know how to trust
for why would I doubt a love like yours, one perfect and pure and sacrificial,
In asking you to save her and make things alright are my prayers superficial?
Yet Lord, either way, rain or wind or sunny day, You are God and Your ways are not my ways, they are above, they are beyond, so I’ll let you carry on,
carry on with your ways, knowing you consider my heart, Your love is unfailing and from this truth shall I never depart.
1. The Amalekite brought news that Saul and Jonathan were dead.
2. David did not reward him, but wept for the death of Saul and Jonathan.
4. My salvation, bringing my friends to Christ, coming to Moody.
5. God, you have brought me through many hard times in life, yet you are always faithful and work things out for good.
1.Saul and his sons died.
2.David didn’t reward him and fell to the ground to pay him honor.
3. Jonathan’s loyal friendship to David.
4. Moving to new countries, new schools, graduation and coming to MBI
1 said that saul and jonathan are dead
2 he honored him by bowing down
3 jonathan and saul’s death
4 had to move schools, coming to MBI to the big city
5 God thank you for being always in control.
I desired to stay at my old elementary school, but it worked
out best to go where your plan was.
1.What news did the Amalekite bring?
He told David that Saul and Jonathan are dead, and he killed Saul.
2.How did David reward him?
David did not reward him.
3.What did David recall in song?
The death of Saul and Jonathan, Jonathan’s heart toward David.
4.What are some significant events in your lifetime?
experiencing God changing me.
5.Compose a short song of praise or lament (complaint) related to the anwer to 4.
1. The news that the Amalekites brought were about Saul and Jonathan being dead.
2. David did not really reward him but more like gave him an honor.
3. David recalled in song for Saul and Jonathan.
4. Some significant events in my lifetime include coming to Moody and the time that I became a Christian.
5.