I Samuel 31 - II Samuel 1

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions” (II Sam 1:23).  David’s tribute to Saul and Jonathan was sincere; he had always honored Saul as king, even when Saul didn’t deserve it.  He refrained from harming Saul many times and would not seize the crown.  In contrast, the Amalekite took King Saul’s life in his own hands (v10), rather than leave his death and judgment to the Lord.

Achieving our goals through ungodly choices will poison the future.  God calls us to do what is right even when it is uncomfortable, refusing shortcuts, because His approval outweighs every other crown.