David's Heart - Part 3

Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. (2 Samuel 1:11-12 ESV). David had spent seven years running from Saul. Saul had befriended him and then tried to kill him. David was hiding in caves thinking he was going to die. He had surrounded himself with all those who were down and out and he, himself was considered a renegade. David had left his home and was made to be homeless, all because of Saul. Yet, when David finds out that Saul has died, he mourns! He didn’t just mourn for his friend Jonathan. He mourned also for Saul, his enemy. Why? The answer to this question gives us an idea as to the qualities of a person that pleases God! David knew that Saul’s death could ultimately be a blessing to him, but David was a patriot. He loved his country and so he loved his country’s king. Do you love your leaders, even when you don’t agree with them? God had allowed Saul to be king! Should David have spit on God’s choice, or should he have rallied around him? He should have respected him, of course. David respected authority. Do you? Also, David knew that God had selected Saul. David was sensitive to God’s heart. David knew that Saul had disappointed God, just as he had disappointed David and Jonathan. David’s heart was heavy, because he could sense that God’s heart was heavy. Do you mourn over the things God mourns over? Does sin disappoint you? Does the death of unborn children cause you to weep? Do those who refuse to submit to God hurt your heart like it does God’s? Finally, I think David, who knew the heart of God so well, knew there was a changing of the guard. David knew that with the death of Saul, the path was cleared for David to be anointed king. David felt the wait of leadership upon his shoulders. Rather than jump for joy, David mourned and wept. He didn’t rush into leadership, but he humbled himself before his men. David was not always trying to get ahead. Instead, David waited for the Lord to place him where He wanted him to be. Do you have a heart like David’s? Do you respect authority? Are you sensitive to the heart of God? Are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord and allow Him to lift you up in due time? That is the kind of heart that pleases God.