1 & 2 Samuel - War

In 1 Samuel, young David seems to be able to do no wrong. Like the book of Joshua, he seems to have the Midas touch in all his battles. But then along comes 2 Samuel and suddenly things seem so much more .... complicated. His relationship with Saul and especially Saul's son, Jonathan, are full of irony and sadness. David must negotiate the troubled waters of being both friend and enemy. Soon, the bodies start piling up. You can't get involved in a cycle of violence without it coming back and affecting you. At one point, when David's relentlessly "hawkish" general Joab is pursuing the enemy general Abner, Abner says to him, "Is the sword to keep devouring forever?" Isn't this what happens? Violent means to our ends wind up bringing nothing but sadness. David loses his best friend ever - his soul mate. David's own life begins to lose its pristine luster.