Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Funeral Oration

Reflections on 2 Sam. 1:17-27

When Anthony gave Julius Caesar’s funeral oration, his rhetoric was crafted more by political considerations than his personal devotion to Caesar. He was not looking back upon the life of Caesar, but looking forward to who would rule now that Caesar was gone. When David heard of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, he composed a lament for them that he taught to Israel. It is perhaps natural to ask, “Did David express his genuine feelings or were his words politically motivated?”

BRAVE. Saul had been a valiant soldier and successful commander. He fought successfully against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines (1 Sam. 14:47-48). Jonathan had also been a brave soldier. David compared them to eagles and lions (2 Sam. 1:23). Indeed, Saul was swifter than an eagle when he saved the men of Jabesh Gilead from Nahash, the Ammonite king (1 Sam. 11:1 ff.). Jonathan was stronger than a lion when he put the whole Philistine army to flight (1 Sam. 14:1 ff.). David’s refrain was fitting: “How the mighty have fallen!” David was expressing genuine grief when he wrote this lament.

GRACIOUS. It is a little harder to see why David praised both Saul and Jonathan as “loved and gracious” (2 Sam. 1:23 NIV; ESV has “loved and lovely”). Saul certainly had not been gracious in his treatment of David. Nevertheless, if the people prospered when Saul protected them from their enemies, then Saul might be considered generous. It could then be said that Saul had clothed the daughters of Israel in scarlet and finery and adorned them with ornaments of gold (2 Sam. 1:24). Furthermore, both Saul and Jonathan had loved David at one time (1 Sam. 16:21), and David evidently loved both of them. So even though Saul later treated David maliciously, David managed to remember the good in Saul and always showed him great respect. David’s praise was not motivated by a desire to be king.

LOVED. It is easier to understand David’s grief over the death of Jonathan, who had been a close friend for years. Their shared faith and courage made them kindred spirits. They were comrades in arms. Their devotion to each other was born of fighting Israel’s enemies together, enduring hardships together, and overcoming obstacles together. They knew they could depend on each other in whatever physical or spiritual battle they were fighting. Their shared devotion was different in kind than the love of man for a woman. In the midst of battle, that devotion was also greater than the love of man for a woman. David’s lament for Jonathan was not politically motivated.

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