1:12 Compassion toward Enemies After Saul made David his sworn enemy, David was forced to live in exile. Jonathan, Saul’s son, also became a potential rival to David’s throne. Yet ironically, Jonathan and David became the closest of friends. And David mourned deeply over the deaths of both Jonathan and Saul. David’s compassion toward those who had tried to kill him was extraordinary—a testimony to God’s power to enable us to love even our worst enemies.
1:19-20 Humility in Victory The deaths of Saul and his sons could have been seen by David as a long-overdue triumph over his political foes. But David recognized their deaths and the defeat of Israel’s army as a devastating loss for the nation. This humble king modeled concern for the well-being of his people above his own pride.