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2 Samuel

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2 Samuel 1

1And it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

Commentary · verse 1

While Saul and Israel were fighting the Philistines, David was dealing with his own conflict with the Amalekites.

2it came to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

3And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

2It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

3And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

Commentary · verses 2-4

Three days after Saul and Jonathan were killed, a man went to David and gave him the news.

5And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?

6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.

7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me; for anguish hath taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10So I stood beside him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

5And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

Commentary · verses 5-10

This man told a story of Saul's death. The correct version was documented in 1 Samuel 31:4. This man was not Saul's armorbearer but an Amalekite, and he told a different version of the story. This man lied. Remember, the Amalekites and Philistines celebrated Saul's death and desecrated his body. From the Amalekites' perspective, the death of Saul was something to brag about and even, perhaps, claim a role in accomplishing. Regardless, the Amalekite did have the crown and bracelet from Saul. The Amalekite, as well as others, recognized David as King of Israel. Was this an attempt at gaining favor from David?

11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 12and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.

11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

Commentary · verses 11-13

David asked him who he was. He did not hide the fact that he was an Amalekite. This man must have thought it would make David happy that he killed Saul since in reality, Saul actually killed himself. He must have also thought he alone could claim to have killed Saul because he had the crown and bracelet. The Amalekite attempted to personally profit from delivering the crown and bracelet. This man proved he didn't really know David by thinking that David would be grateful. History has shown that David had always shown reverence to Saul, who David referred to as "Jehovah's anointed."

14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah’s anointed?

15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him, so that he died.

16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah’s anointed.

14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?

15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.

Commentary · verses 14-16

David still saw Saul as one anointed by God. David had the Amalekite killed. David, a master with his words, stated he only responded to what the Amalekite testified with his own mouth.

Commentary · verses 17-27

Verses 17-27: David mourned the death of Saul and Jonathan with what has been referred to as "The Song of the Bow."

Commentary · verses 17-18

Verses 17-18: the introduction.

17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son 18(and he bade them teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

Commentary · verse 18

"The book of Jashar" was also referenced in Joshua 10:13.

Commentary · verses 19-27

Verses 19-27: the song.

19Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!

20Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21Ye mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided: They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.

24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.

26I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Thy love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women.

19The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

20Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

26I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

Commentary · verse 26

David used the word "I" only one time in this song, in a personal expression of distress for the loss of his "brother Jonathan."

27How are the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!

27How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

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