撒母耳記上下其實是個連續的故事，前半段充滿死亡絕望的色彩，後半段則露出希望的曙光。在撒母耳記上中，掃羅的王朝敗亡，撒母耳記下中，大衛的王朝建立起來，但權力的轉換卻非一夕之間。首先對掃羅的噩耗表達適度的哀悼，接著作猶大家的王，清除舊勢力，消滅異己，這些都是大衛在統一前所必須完成的。

        你心裡先想一個「在這世界上你最討厭的人」再問自己一個問題，「若那人突然死亡，你的反應怎樣？」
        從某個角度看，大衛的禱告實現了，他沒有動一根指頭傷害掃羅王，上帝就讓他登上以色列的王位。那個長年歲月追索他性命的人如今身亡，大衛並沒有因此幸災樂禍，反而悲從中來為他哀哭，甚至作了悼念之詩紀念這個以色列的第一位國王。
        你愛你的仇敵嗎？你能欣賞他的優點長處嗎？你能不看他的缺點，而且內心毫無苦毒怨怒嗎？這就是哥林多前書所提神聖的愛（13：4-7）。若你仍然存在著「以其人之道還治其人」的心態，求上帝賜給你像大衛那樣的心，然後為這位你「最討厭」的人禱告，這將是革命的禱告，會使仇敵變成你的朋友。

大衛的眼淚
        曾被掃羅逼得走投無路的大衛，竟為他深深哀悼（1：11、12）。比較一下耶穌在釘十架以前為耶路撒冷哭泣的心境（太23：37-39）。

你不但可以從一個人所結交的朋友，更可以從他所樹立的敵人看出他的為人。

English

        The books of 1 and 2 Samuel are actually a single, continuous story. In 1 Samuel, the mood is one of death and despair; in 2 Samuel, a ray of hope shines. In 1 Samuel, Saul's dynasty is destroyed; in 2 Samuel, David's dynasty is established. But the transition of power is not a simple one. Proper mourning for the departed monarch, the inauguration of the leader, the purging of the former regime's influence, and the putting down of rival factions and rebellious elements — all must be done before David can rule in peace.

        Make a mental list of three candidates for the title. "My Least Favorite Person on Earth." Pick one name that seems to emerge as the prime contender. Now ask yourself this question: "How would I react to the news that _______ had met a violent death?"
        In a sense, David's prayers had finally been answered. Without raising a finger against God's anointed, David had at last been vindicated in his claim to the throne of Israel. The man who had tried so long and hard to snuff out his life was now dead. And yet, instead of rejoicing over the misfortunes of Saul, David wept unashamedly at the news. He even composed a beautiful song of testimony as a perpetual memorial to Israel's first king,
        Do you love your enemies? Can you highlight their virtues and strengths — and minimize their faults and failings — without bitterness or envy? That's what divine love is all about (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). If you are still "enemies with your enemies," ask God to give you a heart like David's. Then turn your list of "Least Favorite People" into a prayer list. It will revolutionize your prayers; it may even turn some of your enemies into friends!

The Irony of David's Tears —
        Deep mourning for Saul (1:11-12) came from the people he had hated and persecuted most severely. Compare the weeping of Jesus over the city of Jerusalem just days before its inhabitants would nail Him to a cross (Matthew 23:37-39).

You can judge a man by his enemies as well as by his friends.