Daughters of Israel,
weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.
2 Samuel 1:24
Observation; Saul has died in battle, and in response David writes a song honoring Saul. The song declares of his might and greatness as a warrior, but also honors him as a king. In the song, David declares that all Israel should weep and mourn for Saul, for he provided for them as the king. By his reign, the women of Israel had fineries alike scarlet clothes and gold jewelry.
David is saying this about a man who spent the last few years driving him out of Israel, pursuing him in an attempt to kill him over the jealousy he felt because the Lord had anointed David as the next king. In God's eyes, Saul failed as king, not obeying the instructions of the Lord. He then plotted to kill David, rejecting the Lord's plan of succession, taking away one of David's wives from him, ejecting him from the court, and even hunting him down in an attempt to kill him.
This is David's response ... unlimited praise for Saul as king, justice brought upon the man who killed Saul, and a song to honor Saul's memories, taught to the entire country and recorded in the annals forever.
This is one of the most amazing moments of faith one can possibly imagine. David has SO much faith in the Lord that he doesn't just forgive the actions of Saul against him, but he will declare greatness and honor upon Saul as if nothing he ever did to David even occurred. David knows the depravity and borderline madness of Saul; he knows Saul's downfall was caused by his own failures and anger and lack of obedience. David ignores all that ... Saul was God's anointed, and is to be honored only, his negative actions ignored. This isn't even about forgiveness, but just about David knowing the Lord has always been in control of both the good and bad of Saul, and choosing to call it all "good" because of that.
Application: With this example, I may better understand the Lord's forgiveness of my iniquities. Jesus is THE anointed one, and the perfect Messiah without blemish, so much better than Saul or David. When he interposes himself before me, the Lord certainly still knows of all my failures, however there just isn't any reason to acknowledge those failures, for Jesus' anointing - and my faith in Jesus that has brought that protection over my eternal soul - is all that need be discussed.
Even with that understanding, it is difficult to comprehend forgiveness of that magnitude. Therefore, David is an earthly example of that. He was wronged in ways far exceeding anything that has happened to me, and he didn't just forgive Saul, he honored him, even declaring that Saul was an instrument of the Lord. He goes so far as to ignore every wrong, and elevate every right, publicly and forever.
That is a level of faith beyond forgiveness. That is faith that says "I don't choose to forgive or to decide it was even good, because even though I don't understand how, I believe it was part of the Lord's plan."
Prayer: Lord, today I give you all concern I have for the direction of my life and of my family. I trust all of it, past, present, and future, is all not only in your hands, but part of your plan. I hope to see resolution of certain parts soon, but I trust in your plan. Please forgive my sins, and Jesus stands as my intercessor as a result of the fact I believe in him as my Lord and savior. May I simply follow your good plan. Amen.
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