What other scriptures emphasize mourning and respect for God's anointed? The Echo of Grief in God’s Story • 1 Samuel 15:35—“Samuel mourned for Saul…” • 1 Samuel 16:1—“The LORD said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul…?’ ” • 2 Samuel 3:31–32—David leads Israel in mourning for Abner, commanding, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth.” • 2 Chronicles 35:24–25—Jeremiah and singers lament King Josiah; the dirges became “a statute in Israel.” • 2 Kings 2:12—Elisha cries, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” as Elijah is taken. • 2 Kings 13:14—King Joash weeps over dying Elisha: “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” • Acts 8:2—“God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.” Commands to Honor the Lord’s Anointed • 1 Samuel 24:6—“Far be it from me… to stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.” • 1 Samuel 26:9–11—David again refuses to harm Saul: “Who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” • Psalm 105:14-15; 1 Chronicles 16:21-22—“Do not touch My anointed ones; do My prophets no harm.” • Lamentations 4:20—Jerusalem laments the captured king, “the LORD’s anointed.” • 2 Samuel 1:14-16—David executes the Amalekite who claimed to kill Saul: “You were not afraid to lift your hand against the LORD’s anointed.” Prophets and People Modeling Reverent Mourning • 2 Samuel 2:4-7—David blesses the men of Jabesh-gilead for burying Saul with honor. • Zechariah 12:10—The Spirit prophesies national mourning “as one mourns for an only son.” • Matthew 26:75—Peter weeps bitterly after denying the Lord; grief over sin honors the Anointed One. New-Covenant Continuity • Luke 23:27—Women follow Jesus, “mourning and wailing for Him.” • Revelation 1:7—“Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.” Takeaways for Our Hearts Today • God records heartfelt laments to show that honoring His chosen servants—even flawed ones—matters to Him. • Respect for authority and humble grief over loss or sin are twin themes running from Samuel to Revelation. • Mourning is not weakness; it is covenant loyalty expressed in tears before the Holy One who appoints leaders and redeems their people. |
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