070422 David Eulogy For A Tragedy

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David: Shaping a Godly Heart

Eulogy for a Tragedy1 Samuel 31 & 2 Samuel 1Invitation: #786 – Precious Lord, Take My Hand

A question – or a name?

Life is portrayed on a headstone by a dash between two dates

David – among God’s enemies

Saul – learns he will die in battle

1 Samuel 28:1-6 NIV

In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel … (4) The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all the Israelites and set up camp at Gilboa. (5) When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. (6) He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

The Lord will not answer Saul

No answer through priests

No answer through prophets

He turns to the occult

1 Samuel 28:7-25 NIV

Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." "There is one in Endor," they said. (8) So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name."


(9) But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?" (10) Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this." (11) Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" "Bring up Samuel," he said.


(12) When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!" (13) The king said to her, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?" The woman said, "I see a spirit coming up out of the ground." (14) "What does he look like?" he asked. "An old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel …


(15) Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" "I am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do."


(16) Samuel said, "Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? (17) The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors--to David. (18) Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today.


(19) The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines." (20) Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and night.

Thoughts on the Witch of Endor Why doesn’t she

see through Saul’s disguise?

Why was she so surprised to see Samuel?

She doesn’t reveal anything – Samuel does!


Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. (2) The Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. (3) The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically.


(4) Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me." But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. (5) When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.


(6) So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day. (7) When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them.

Saul’s suicide

Other Bible suicides Ahithopel Zimri Judas Saul’s armor bearer

Even in death, Saul is more concerned about himself than God

Hears of Saul’s death

David …

2 Samuel 1:1-10 NIV

After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. (2) On the third day a man arrived from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and with 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."

2 Samuel 1:1-10 NIV

(4) "What happened?" David asked. "Tell me." He said, "The men fled from the battle. Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead." (5) Then David said to the young man who brought him the report, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"

2 Samuel 1:1-10 NIV

(6) "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa," the young man said, "and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and riders almost upon him. (7) When 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.

2 Samuel 1:1-10 NIV

(9) "Then he said to me, 'Stand over me and kill me! I am in the throes of death, but I'm still alive.' (10) "So I stood over 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."


Mourns Saul’s death

David …


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 the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.


Mourns Saul’s death

Avenges Saul’s death

David …


David said to the young man who brought him the report, "Where are you from?" "I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite," he answered. (14) David asked him, "Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?"


(15) Then David called one of his men and said, "Go, strike him down!" So he struck him down, and he died. (16) For David had said to him, "Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed the Lord's anointed.'"

Apparent contradiction:

Did Saul commit suicide? 1 Samuel 31:4 NIV Saul said to his armor-bearer,

"Draw your sword and run me through …" But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

Or was he murdered? 2 Samuel 1:6-10 NIV "I happened to be on Mount

Gilboa … and there was Saul, leaning on his spear … (9) "Then he said to me, 'Stand over me and kill me! … (10) "So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive …"

A possible explanation

The Amalekite, trying to get credit and a reward claimed to kill Saul, when he had not done so.

David believed the Amalekite killed Saul.

Only Bible account of euthanasia

Gk: eu “good” + thanatos “death” Passive – no heroic

measures (DNR) Body progresses to

the conclusion God has ordained

Active – deliberately ending life Argument from

silence. God could comment, but doesn’t

They say “death with dignity”

Death is penalty for sin

Penalties are not dignified

Death with dignity is a contradiction in terms

David’s Eulogy


David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, … (19) "Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! (20) "Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.


(21) "O mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, nor fields that yield offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul--no longer rubbed with oil. (22) From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.


(23) "Saul and Jonathan-- in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. (24) "O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold. (25) "How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.


(26) I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. (27) "How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!"

Real tragedy is not dying wrong, but living wrong Suicide is the final act of a man who

defied God. The only man who mourned Saul was

David, the man he hated. Remember the dash on the headstone.

That is the time of your life. Are you going to live with – or without –

God?

God is not limited by tragedy

This appears to be the end of the national hope.

Philistines have overrun Israel. Unknown to everyone at the time, Israel

is on the verge of its golden years. Sometimes, it takes a funeral to open

the doors to the future.

Of Jesus

Seemed that Devil had won the final victory.

Cross seemed to display foolishness. Yet, Jesus death opened up the throne

room of God for you and me. It is incredible what God can do with a

tragedy!

I read of a man who stood to speakAt the funeral of a friend.He referred to the dates on her tombstone,From the beginning...to the end.

The Dash

He noted that first came her date of birthAnd then spoke of that date with tears,But he said what mattered most of allWas the dash between those years.

The Dash

For that dash represents all the time,That she spent alive on earth.And now only those who loved her,Know what that little line is worth.

The Dash

For it matters not, how much we own;The cars...the house...the cash.What matters is how we live and loveAnd how we spend our dash.

The Dash

So think about this long and hard,Are there things you'd like to change?For you never know how much time is left,That can still be rearranged.

The Dash

If we could just slow down enoughTo consider what's true and real,And always try to understandThe way other people feel.

The Dash

And be less quick to anger,And show appreciation moreAnd love the people in our livesLike we've never loved before.

The Dash

If we treat each other with respect,And more often wear a smile.Remembering that this special dashMight only last a little while.

The Dash

So, when your eulogy's being readWith your life's actions to rehash.Would you be proud of the things they sayAbout how you spent your dash?

The Dash

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070422 David Eulogy For A Tragedy

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Transcript of 070422 David Eulogy For A Tragedy