Exegetical Essay: The Death Of Saul

The death of Saul begins the second book of Samuel. This twenty-four chapter book is packed with episodes of David’s life and the series of events, which took place. In this book, the Lord gives us the ups and downs of the sweet singer of Israel. David in chapter one is seen in distress because of the death of Jonathan yet is blessed to know his seed would be building God a house (2 Sam. 7.12-13). The king of the United Kingdom would be seen at his lowest moral point in life when he lay with Uriah, the Hittite’s wife and having him killed (11.1-27). The sword would not leave his house, thus causing great trouble to ensue for him and Israel (11.10).

The life of David is an open book, and the Lord allows the reader to see the true essence of

Ammon raped his sister Tamar, Absalom kills Ammon, David is heartbroken over his daughter and Absalom attempts to take the kingdom from David (2 Sam.12-15). Now these things were the consequences that the Lord told Nathan to tell David. As the Hebrews writer said, “every transgression and disobedience receives a just reward” (2.2), it’s no marvel that these things took place. As Paul said to the Corinthians, they were troubled on every side; well David was catching grief on every side. Shimei was cursing him, Absalom is killed, David mourns his death, and with great anguish and sorrow of heart, he presses forward (2 Sam. 16-19). Could you imagine all of these things happening to you? Could you imagine the conversations he was having with himself about his previous actions? Can you imagine the way Bathsheba felt? It was hard and yet these things were written for our learning (Rom.

David is on the run and Barzilla, the Gileadite goes over and beyond to give aid to David and his men (2 Sam. 17.27-29). He supplies beds and basins and food for their journey on the run. This is a great lesson for us, to be a people willing to share our possessions with those who have need. David dared not forget Barzilla, for he showed him great kindness. He being eighty years old (2 Sam. 19.32) was good to David and he wanted to repay him for his kindness. A servant of the Lord always seeks to esteem others better than self (Phil. 2.1-4), so he recommends Chimham to go with David and he approved (2 Sam. 19.38ff). There are so many lessons to learn from this section of scripture, we should go and do