I am currently going through an amazing study by Beth Moore, about the life of David--from his life as a shepherd boy to becoming the King of God's people. The more I learn about David, the harder it is to put the study down. There is so much to learn about him and the way he followed God. They say David was a "man after God's own heart" and I am finding that to be the case within the books of 1 and 2 Samuel.
I just finished the first book of Samuel, the final chapter ending with Saul's death. Even though Saul had tried to kill David countless times, the Bible tells us that David mourned the king's death. David even goes as far to say that Saul was "loved and gracious in life..."(vs. 23). I don't think those would have been the words I would have picked to describe a man who had spent a good portion of his life trying to kill me out of jealousy. Which is probably why this story isn't about Stephanie--a woman after God's own heart. Nevertheless, the point of this post isn't about David's grief over Saul, but instead Saul's son, Jonathan. Jonathan was also killed in battle, and fell alongside his father. Unlike his father, Jonathan loved David and protected him from the sword of Saul countless times.
Jonathan was prince, destined to become the king once Saul died. However, he knew Gods will was to have David rise as king, and humbly removed himself from the "hot seat". Now I am not destined to rule over a country, but I can imagine it was something Jonathan had been looking forward to growing up...imagining as a boy the day he would become king. Then to have to give it all over to someone else...a shepherd boy, the least of them! But Jonathan loved David..."One was a shepherd, the other a prince, yet so alike were they that they were "one in spirit" (I Sam. 18:1). So determined was Jonathan that David be king, a position that Jonathan stood to inherit, Jonathan committed his entire life to that end. I can't imagine a better example of a true friend.
So when the news of Jonathan's death reached David, I can imagine the torment it caused within him. I haven't ever lost a best friend, but I know what it's like to lose someone you care about dearly. I know the sting of death all too well and how badly it hurts, and I empathize with David in his loss of a dear friend. What stuck out to me most in this chapter is the phrase following the news of Jonathan's death. "In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" (2 Sam. 2:1). I was comforted by the phrase "in the course of time..." No doubt during the "course of time" following Jonathan's death David faced many different emotions. Anger. Sadness. Grief. Confusion. I'm sure there were times when he shouted to God, asking him why? Why take his closest friend? Why take the life of someone who was so good, so kind? I have asked the same questions myself, over and over, not understanding the why. And it is only "in the course of time" that we find peace and comfort to these often unanswerable questions. Sometimes time is the only thing that works. You can bet this time will be filled with loneliness and tears, but it does pass--in fact God promises it WILL pass. The ache will remain, but the pain will be removed. And so I pray, that if you are facing these seemingly unanswerable questions of "why?", that you would seek your Savior during "this course of time"--let Him work through you, love you, and give you the only peace He can offer, a sense of healing only He can bring.
As I look back at the months following my loss, I realize how deeply I now treasure that "course of time". It was a time that I sought the Lord without abandon. It was a time of tears and frustration, but also a time of healing and restoration. He desires to comfort us during this time and He will draw nearer to you. In fact, he promises to! In the midst of pain and suffering, find comfort in Him. Blessedly, thankfully, "in the course of time."
