Lament For A Friend

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me. - 2 Samuel 1:26


As a pastor, I was often asked to lead funeral services. Typically, the funeral director would give me a 3 x 5 index card with all the particulars about the deceased so I would be informed about him or her. I never got used to that, however. As practical and necessary as it may have been, it seemed a bit trite to take a person's earthly sojourn and reduce it to an index card. Life is too big for that.

After David received news of Jonathan's death, he spent time recalling the life of his friend - even writing a lament that others could sing as a way to respect Jonathan (2 Sam. 17-27). David recalled his friend's courage and skill, and he spoke of the grief that caused him to lament deeply. He honored a rich, pleasant, heroic life. For David, it was an intense time of mouring and remembrance.

When we grieve for a loved one, it is vital to recall the cherished details and shared experiences of our lives together. Those memories flood our hearts with far more thoughts than an index card can hold. The day that grief visits our hearts is not a time for short summaries and quick snapshots of our loved one's life. It is time to remember deeply, giving God thanks for the details, the stories, and the impact of an entire life. It's time to pause, reflect, and honor. - Bill Crowder


At journey's end, take a long look back
At the details of the story;
Take time to review the godly life
Of your loved one now in Glory. - Branon

Precious memories of life can temper the profound sadness of death.

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2 Samuel 1:11, 17-27

Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with him... David lamented with this lamentatin over Saul and over Jonathan his son (and he bade them teach the children of Judah [the song of] the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How are the mighty fallen! Don't tell in Gath, Don't publish it in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistine rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

You mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan didn't turn back, The sword of Saul didn't return empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, In their death they were not divided:

They were swifter than eagels, They were stronger than lions. You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant have you been to me: You love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, The weapons of war perished!

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