Perspective: 2 Samuel 1:1-16
When our heart is aligned with God, we make choices differently than the world expects. We learn to want what God wants for us rather than pursuing the fickleness of our heart. We see life through a long-term lens instead of the desires of the moment. We are free to make choices that free us to be the person God created us to be.
When David returns to Ziklag, a messenger comes from the battlefield. This messenger claims to have killed Saul as a mercy. He claims Saul begged him to kill Saul to deprive the Philistines of the honor.
The Amalekite was likely a camp follower of the Philistine army. These were frequently social outcasts driven from their home. Sometimes they were leprous. Other times they were violent criminals. Whatever the reason, they were forced to scavenge a life out on their own. These people would follow an army to a place of battle, knowing there would be supplies left behind even after the victorious army took the spoils of war. Essentially, this Amalekite was an ancient world dumpster diver.
The Amalekite showed up at David’s camp thinking he would be a hero. Since Saul was dead, David could go back to living with his own people. The Amalekite was hoping for a reward and maybe even acceptance into the camp.
The Amalekite didn’t account for David’s heart. Instead of celebration, David mourns the loss of the king and Jonathan, his friend. Instead of a party, the Amalekite finds himself fasting.
David never considered Saul his enemy, even though Saul certainly considered David his own enemy. David respected the office of king. David honored God by waiting for God to deal with Saul. A worldly person would have focused on the opportunity to take over as king. David’s eyes were on God, which allowed him to respond in godliness.
Once the time for mourning was over, David interviews the man again. The Amalekite continues his lies, although David wouldn’t have been able to prove the Amalekite’s lies. In the end, David has the man executed. The Amalekite killed the Lord’s anointed, which David refused to do out of respect for God. For David, the Amalekite’s claim in killing Saul was rebellion against God.
While there might be some concern about the Amalekite dying for a lie, God told Saul to kill the Amalekites. David’s choice to kill the Amalekite is covered by that overall edict. I wouldn’t be surprised if this fact played into David’s choice to have the Amalekite killed.
David is a surprising character. He doesn’t always make the right choice, but he certainly shows a propensity for making choices based on God’s perspective instead of the world. For the most part – and who among us is perfect in this regard – David wants what the Lord wants for him and waits for the Lord to fulfill His own timing. When our heart is aligned with God, we make choices differently than the world expects.
