Children’s Sunday School Lesson 20: David Mourns the Death of Saul and Jonathan
Memory Verse: “Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword” (2 Samuel 1:11,12).
Bible Text: 2 Samuel 1:1-27
Our Bible story focuses on how David mourned the death of Saul and Jonathan, his bosom friend. As we learnt in previous studies, Saul, the king of Israel, made himself an enemy of David. He hated David because God rejected him and chose David to replace him as king.
Saul was unhappy because of this and he became very jealous. He therefore sought to kill David, but God did not allow his evil plan to succeed. Meanwhile, Jonathan the son of Saul was a close friend of David. They loved each other dearly. Jonathan tried on many occasions to stop his father from killing David.
Now both Saul and Jonathan died in battle. When David heard of their death, he became very sorrowful, mourned for both of them, and even wrote a lengthy poetic song in their honour.
This shows that David was a man with a loving heart. Today many people are dead in their sins and trespasses. As friends of Jesus, we must be concerned for lost souls, mourn for them, and reach out to them with the good news of Christ’s love.
Read the previous lesson: Lesson 19: The Tragic Death of Saul
1. The Death of Saul and Jonathan
2 Samuel 1:1-10; 1 Samuel 31:3-6
Saul, the first king of Israel, died with his sons in a war against the Philistines. He was a bitter enemy of David. He made several attempts to kill David, but God always delivered David. Despite all Saul did, David refused to kill him when he had the opportunity to do so (1 Samuel 24:10). But at last, Saul died in war. After he had been wounded by an enemy’s arrow, he took his sword, fell upon it, and died.
The Amalekite who came to tell David about the death of Saul changed the true story of how he died. He lied that he was the one who killed Saul. He thought he would receive favour from David because he knew that Saul was David’s enemy. Instead of getting favour, he was killed and went to hell. All liars will be punished by God except they repent. Never tell lies to attract favour, to please anyone, or to escape punishment. Speak the truth at all times and let the devil be ashamed.
2. David Mourns for Saul and Jonathan
2 Samuel 1:11,12,17-27
Despite Saul’s hatred and several attempts to kill him, David became very sad when he received the news of Saul’s death. He mourned seriously for Saul and Jonathan. When a loved one dies, it is always very painful. But when an enemy dies, many people rejoice. Some people even pray wrongly that their enemy should die. David was never like that. Friends of Jesus should obey the Lord’s command: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you…” (Matthew 5:44).
There are many occasions where people mourned the death of their loved ones in the Bible: (i) Sarah’s death, the wife of Abraham (Genesis 23:2). (ii) Jacob’s death (Genesis 50:3). (iii) Aaron’s death (Numbers 20:29). (iv) Moses’ death (Deuteronomy 34:8). (v) Stephen’s death (Acts 8:2).
David mourned for Saul deeply and sincerely. He wept and wished Saul had not died. David desired Saul would repent of his evil ways so he could get to heaven. What is your desire for sinners who hate and fight you? Do you want them to die? God is not interested in the death of sinners but wants them to repent and be saved. Pray for sinners to repent so that they will not go to hell fire.
3. Daily Blessings for Those Who Mourn for Their Sins
2 Samuel 1:11,12; Matthew 5:4; Ezra 10:6-14; Joel 2:12-14
People do not mourn only because of death. When there is sin, it grieves the heart of God and He does not expect anyone to rejoice at sin. It was common for people in Bible days to feel sorry and sorrowful whenever God pointed out their sins to them. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that those who mourn for their sins will be comforted and forgiven (Matthew 5:4). Never joke or laugh at sin, because the Bible says, “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour” (Proverbs 14:9).
Mourning for sin should lead a sinner to sincerely repent and confess all his sins to God. Then he should pray for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus, asking Jesus to be his Saviour and Lord. If you have not yet taken these steps, you can do that now. Whenever people mourn for their sins and repent, God’s favour, forgiveness, joy, and peace always come into their lives. Examine your life, repent, and enjoy the fulness of God’s blessings daily.
Discussion Questions
- (a) How did Saul die? (b) Who told David about the death of Saul and what did he do to the person?
- Why do people mourn when someone they love dies?
- Mention four cases in the Bible where people mourned because someone died.
- Apart from death, when does God expect people to mourn?
- How should a sinful child mourn for his sins?
Lesson: Showing sympathy to an enemy is an attribute of a true child of God.
Thought: I will love my enemies and pray for their salvation.
Activity: In the lamentation of David over Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:17-27, mention the good things David said about Saul and Jonathan. For example, in verse 19 David called Saul the beauty of Israel.
Homework: Pray for sinners to repent and be saved.
Congregational Song: GHS 101 – My Father Knows
Choruses: (1) I will love; I will love. (2) I will never let the devil win the battle. (3) The Lord knows the way through the wilderness.
Bible Word Search
Find the meaning of these words using your dictionary: Archers, Mourn, Javelin, Lamentation, Mock.
Previous Lesson: Lesson 19: The Tragic Death of Saul
Read in French: Leçon 20 : David Pleure la Mort de Saül et de Jonathan (version française)
