2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

“Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son,
and he told [them] to teach the children of Judah [the] Song of the Bow; indeed [it is] written in the Book of Jasher: The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” 2 Samuel 1:17-19

There are many themes in this portion of scripture begging to be developed. We get a glimpse of King Saul’s last moments—a man anointed by God to be King of His people, every resource available through God’s providential hand at Saul’s disposal. Nevertheless, Saul’s last moments are indicative of the life he lived—defeated, distressed and overrun. Saul, a man who had many natural gifting, and many God-given opportunities, yet his was a life wasted—he never achieved the full potential God intended for him. What was Saul’s failure? He failed to submit himself totally to God. Samuel, the prophet said to him, “Because you have rejected the Lord from ruling over you.” (I Samuel 15:26) What was the kink in this king’s amour? Allowing God to fully rule and reign over Saul’s life. Saul was a man piloted by his self-will, self-determination and self-governing.

David, a king of another sort, not perfect by any standard, but of him it is written, that he was a man after God’s own heart. Perhaps this gives us a picture as to why David was never possessive, anxious or manipulative in taking the kingship. He trusted and rested in God’s anointing and calling as the King of Israel. “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:1-4 Here at a time when any opposition to his kingdom rule over Israel no longer challenged —David does not celebrate—he humbly honors Saul as the king God had chosen. What a tremendous difference in living. Saul lived a life of manipulation, anxiety, control and destruction. David lived a life fully engaged in the potential God intended for him.

Let’s live today, fully engaged in God’s potential for our lives—being all He has planned for us.

Living life to the fullest!
Carol Danna

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 2; I Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14