On the fall of an enemy

Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. – 2 Samuel 1.11-12

People like to win. It is true in sports, in politics, and in battle. I think most of us have some kind of a competitive spirit where we get really excited when we win. There is nothing wrong with celebrating victory – but there is a negative spect that sometimes can be seen if we are not careful.

How do God’s people respond when our enemies fall?

I am about to make a load of enemies and will probably cut my friend’s list in half, but I think it starts in a seemingly innocent way with sports obsessions. I can say this because I have been there myself. This is the attitude that gets mean spirited and downright ugly when their team wins. You know, it's that ‘IN YOUR FACE’ attitude toward opposing fans – even if they are friends. It is the ‘I hate so and so team attitude’ that is so obvious during sports season. And the sports team are not even our enemies.

Of course that carries on to watching political enemies fall and especially military enemies.

But look how David responded to the news of Saul’s death. He wept and mourned at their deaths. Sure his life was easier and there must have been relief that he was no longer under threat, but he still mourned the fact that they were dead.

Look what the word of God says in Proverbs 24.17 - Don’t gloat when your enemy falls, don’t let your heart be glad when he stumbles.

We may be thankful that our enemy is defeated – but it comes to a matter of attitude. There is no place for celebration or boasting or gloating.

When our enemy falls our attitude ought to be one of grateful acknowledgement – not of celebratory boasting.

It reminds me of Shakespeare’s words in ‘Henry V’ after the Battle of Agincourt -

‘Come, go we in procession to the village.
And be it death proclaimed through our host
To boast of this or take the praise from God
Which is his only.'