David Learns of Saul’s Death
1 Now it came about after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David stayed two days in Ziklag. 2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from [a]Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and [b]dust on his head. And it happened when he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself. 3 Then David said to him, “From where do you come?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 David said to him, “How did things go? Please tell me.” And he said, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 5 Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 The young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen had overtaken him. 7 When he looked behind himself, he saw me, and called to me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 8 Then he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I [c]answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 And he said to me, ‘Please stand next to me and finish me off, for [d]agony has seized me because my [e]life still lingers in me.’ 10 So I stood next to him and finished him off, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the band which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”
11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 Then David said to the young man who informed him, “Where are you from?” And he [f]answered, “I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.” 14 And David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to reach out with your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15 Then David called one of the young men and said, “Come forward, [g]put him to death.” So he struck him and he died. 16 And David said to him, “[h]Your blood is on your head, because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have finished off the Lord’s anointed.’”
To Saul’s dying day, David honored him as king. And even more as the Lord’s anointed leader of Israel. We’ve seen earlier how David honored Saul in life, and spared Saul’s life multiple times.
But now, with the crown in hand, David shows an integrity that only comes from a close walk with God. This was not normal protocol, that David, who was also anointed by God, to mourn the passing of a king who had disobeyed and dishonored his God.
This is integrity, to do what is right, even when it isn’t necessary by human standards. To go above and beyond, and live by God’s standard, not being content with what mere mortals expect of you. It is a path God calls all of us to follow. This is what Jesus preached that did not abolish the law, but fulfilled it. Keep your eyes heavenward, and do not be distracted by the selfish rules and traditions of this earth.