King Saul's son, Jonathan, waa a very close friend of David, and he attempted to persuade his father to give up his plot to assasinate David. The king, on the other hand, was the mortal enemy of David. When both the king and his son were killed in battle, the way to the throne was open to David. His reaction was not one of joy because he was about to become king, but one of sorrow because Saul and Jonathan had died. That he would weep for Jonathan seemed natural since they were close friends. That he would weep for Saul manifested true nobility since Saul was his enemy.

Throughout his life David wavered between greatness and weakness, but in this episode he showed what a really big person he was. Only petty people delight in evil which comes to others even if they be enemies. Later Jesus would set forth His own directives for greatness. He would say, "Love your enemies. Do good to those who persecute you." He Himself woud also give the example from the cross by forgiving those who had put Him to death.

We are called to be big people. It is easy to love our friends and those who are good to us. It takes real character to rise above the inclination of sinful human nature to react in kind, to hate those who hate us and to ignore those who ignore us. Such strength cannot come from within us. It comes only from God.