Song Of Lament

2 Samuel 1

It’s hard to read this passage and think about worship, because this passage is mainly about mourning and lament. David weeps over the death of Saul and his friend Jonathan. If you know the backstory of these three people, Saul has been trying to kill David because of his growing power. Saul did not want David to be King. Since Saul’s death, the role of king is available, and David’s strife and fear are now over. What some would think should be relief in being free from that pain ends up being David’s deep lament.

God used David to leave a legacy in the Book of Jashar (V19-27). By lamenting over Jonathan and Saul, David showed that bitterness and unforgiveness are a choice. That you can love your enemies, even when the world (or you) believes they don’t deserve it. Your worship can be interwoven with lament; it’s not too much for God. You can believe that there is always something worth worshiping because God is immutable. He is consistent, sovereign, and all-powerful. If David’s response was to rejoice and celebration, the world would understand that. But David lost a dear friend, and in that, the death of a king whose nation was now under no authority. 

In what ways do you believe that you can’t express yourself fully to God? 

How can you be honest with God? 

Practice writing one honest thought to God, pray and bring scripture alongside it to remind you of God’s truth.