David's Lament on Saul's death

David’s Lament on Saul’s death

2 Sam 1:1-2:7
Key Verse 1:17

1. During the war between Israel and Philistines, what did David do [1:1; 1 Sam 30:1-20]? What happened during that war [1 Sam 31:1-13]? What does this tell us about David’s commitment and conviction on Saul’ fate [1 Sam 26:9-11]? Discuss about what might be God’s will in subjecting Saul to David’s hand[1 Sam 26:12c, 23; After this event, there was no more engaging event between Saul and David]
2. Read vv 2-10. When and through whom did David hear about Saul and Jonathan? How did David respond as David heard this news? How did his men respond? Why? What might be the cause of such sadness [12]? Why does the fact that they were fallen by the sword compound the sadness?
3. Compare the man’s testimony with what actually happened [1 Sam 31]. What might be the reason for the Amalekite to change the story? Through his testimony, what can we deduce about this man’s understanding of the conflict between Saul and David? Why such reasoning [1 Sam 15:2]? How was his understanding contrary to the actual[1 Sam 26:9-12;21-25]? What did David do to this man? Why [14-16]?
4. Read 19-27. Who is the glory of Israel [19; 1 Sam 8:19; 10:24; 11:12-14] and how was he typified [19b]? But what happen to the glory [19]? Why should no one tell of this news in Gath and in Ashkelon [20]? Why should the mountains of Gilboa be cursed with no rain or dew [21]? Why was the shield of Saul considered ‘defiled’? What is the meaning of v 22? What did Saul purport to do [1 Sam 8:19; 9:16] and what does the kind of death that he died speak about it?
5. What were the best qualities in character of the two? How did these two unite themselves for the purpose [23]? What is the beauty and sadness of this fact? How did the daughter of Israel enjoy Saul’s kingship [24]? What does the death of Saul tell them about the blessings associated with his kingship?
6. Read vv 25-26. This is a tribute to Jonathan. How is it similar to the tribute to Saul[19]? How was Jonathan’s love particular [1 Sam 23:17-18]? Discuss this in view of 1 Cor 15:5-6 and 1 John 3:16a. What might be significance of v 27b?
7. What is the main theme of this song [19, 25, 27]? Why did David order that the men of Judah be taught on this song? Discuss this in respect to David’s view of Saul and his life as a king, and what the men of Judah had to learn from the life of Saul.
8. Read 2:1-6. Where were David and his men at this time? Why did David ask God if he should go to Judah and then to Hebron [1-2]? When he settled at Hebron, what did the men of Judah do to him? Why? What did David do first soon after becoming king [4b-7]? Why? Why now?