Lamentation

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 96:1-9
• Hymn — Come, We That Love the Lord
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Sin
• Assurance of Pardon — 1 John 2:1-2
• Pastoral Prayer
• Hymn
• Offering
• Prayer of Dedication
• Hymn — Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted
• Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 1:17-27
• Sermon
• Prayer
• Lord's Supper
• Hymn — O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (v. 1)
• Words of Institution
• Communion
• Prayer of Thanksgiving
• Hymn — O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (vv. 2–3)
• Benediction — Hebrews 13:20-21

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Sermon Title: Lamentation

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:17-27

I. International Grief — 2 Samuel 1:20

A. David mourns the news of Saul and Jonathan's defeat reaching the Philistines (Ashkelon and Gath) B. The enemies of God's people are called "the uncircumcised" — those outside the covenant

1. This is not primarily a patriotic lament, but a lament over God's name being dishonored among the nations
2. The defeat of God's covenant people soils the name of Yahweh before the nations C. Scripture consistently shows godly men being jealous for the name of God among the nations
3. Moses intercedes for Israel after the golden calf incident, concerned for God's name among the Egyptians — Exodus 32
4. Paul warns that God's name is blasphemed among the nations because of Israel's unfaithfulness — Romans 2:23-24
5. Peter warns that sensuality among believers causes the way of truth to be blasphemed — 2 Peter 2:2 D. Believers bear the name of God through baptism — Matthew 28:19; cf. Numbers 6:27
6. Our unfaithfulness and hypocrisy soils the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit placed upon us

II. The Land's Grief — 2 Samuel 1:21

A. David curses the mountains of Gilboa — the site of Saul and Jonathan's death — calling for no dew or rain B. Scripture reveals a deep connection between man (Adam) and the ground (adamah)

1. When Adam sins, the ground is cursed — Genesis 3
2. Abel's blood cries out from the ground after Cain's murder — Genesis 4:10
3. The ground itself becomes an object of injustice C. David wants the land to reflect the tragic reality of what happened at Gilboa, preserving the memory of the fallen
4. Darkness covered the land as Christ died on the cross; an earthquake followed — the ground (adamah) reflects the death of the last Adam D. The land's grief is meant to prevent Israel from forgetting the devastation that took place there

III. Testimonial Grief — 2 Samuel 1:22-23

A. David records this lamentation in the Book of Jashar — also referenced in Joshua 10:12-13 — a record of Israel's military heroes B. David honors both Saul and Jonathan as mighty warriors on the battlefield C. David describes Saul as "beloved and lovely" despite Saul's pursuit of his life

1. Saul and David had a deep prior bond — 1 Samuel 16:21 records that Saul loved David greatly
2. Even during Saul's pursuit, David called Saul "father" and Saul called David "son" — 1 Samuel 24:11; 1 Samuel 26:17
3. Like the Allied tribute to the Red Baron — honoring an enemy's valor — David respects Saul's strength in battle D. David sees Saul through the lens of Jonathan — to honor Jonathan is to honor the one Jonathan loved
4. Application: believers should see one another through the lens of Christ, who loved and gave himself for each of them

IV. Personal Grief — 2 Samuel 1:24-26

A. The daughters of Israel are called to weep for Saul; David reserves his own weeping for Jonathan B. The lament is named "The Bow" — after Jonathan's weapon — signaling that Jonathan is its true focus C. David's love for Jonathan: "your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women"

1. This reflects Jonathan's astounding character and covenant fidelity, not a sexual relationship
2. An over-sexualized culture cannot comprehend deep, non-erotic love between image-bearers D. Jonathan's love for David is a type of Christian love for Christ the chosen King
3. Jonathan surrendered his rightful claim to the throne — 1 Samuel 23:17: "You shall be king over Israel and I shall be second to you"
4. John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease"
5. Paul counted all things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ — Philippians 3:8
6. Marriage between man and woman points to the greater bond of Christ and his bride the church — Ephesians 5
7. The surpassing love is the union of the Lamb and his bride — marital love is a shadow of that greater reality E. David calls Jonathan "my brother" — not lover or spouse — echoing Christ's words: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" — John 15:13 F. When brothers and sisters in Christ fall, we grieve with the Psalms of lamentation — coherent agony — always with hope of reunion through the Bridegroom who laid down his life for his bride