TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ Now 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;
Complete Jewish Bible
Sha'ul had died, and David had been two days in Ziklag after returning from the slaughter of the 'Amaleki.
Berean Standard Bible
After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.
American Standard Version
And 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;
World English Bible Messianic
After the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag;
Geneva Bible (1599)
After the death of Saul, when Dauid was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and had beene two dayes in Ziklag,
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, after the death of Saul, that David hath returned from smiting the Amalekite, and David dwelleth in Ziklag two days,
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Commentary on 2 Samuel 1 verses 1–10
1 ¶ Now 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;
2 It 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.
3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4 And 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.
5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6 And 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.
7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9 He 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.
10 So 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.
Here is, I. David settling again in Ziklag, his own city, after he had rescued his family and friends out of the hands of the Amalekites (Sa2 1:1): He abode in Ziklag. Thence he was now sending presents to his friends (Sa1 30:26), and there he was ready to receive those that came into his interests; not men in distress and debt, as his first followers were, but persons of quality in their country, mighty men, men of war, and captains of thousands (as we find, Ch1 12:1, Ch1 12:8, Ch1 12:20); such came day by day to him, God stirring up their hearts to do so, till he had a great host, like the host of God, as it is said, Ch1 12:22. The secret springs of revolutions are unaccountable, and must be resolved into that Providence which turns all hearts as the rivers of water.
II. Intelligence brought him thither of the death of Saul. It was strange that he did not leave some spies about the camp, to bring him early notice of the issue of the engagement, a sign that he desired not Saul's woeful day, nor was impatient to come to the throne, but willing to wait till those tidings were brought to him which many a one would have sent more than half-way to meet. He that believes does not make haste, takes good news when it comes and is not uneasy while it is in the coming. 1. The messenger presents himself to David as an express, in the posture of a mourner for the deceased prince and a subject to the succeeding one. He came with his clothes rent, and made obeisance to David (Sa2 1:2), pleasing himself with the fancy that he had the honour to be the first that did him homage as his sovereign, but it proved he was the first that received from him sentence of death as his judge. He told David he came from the camp of Israel, and intimated the bad posture it was in when he said he had escaped out of it, having much ado to get away with his life, Sa2 1:3. 2. He gives him a general account of the issue of the battle. David was very desirous to know how the matter went, as one that had more reason than any to be concerned for the public; and he told him very distinctly that the army of Israel was routed, many slain, and, among the rest, Saul and Jonathan, Sa2 1:4. He named only Saul and Jonathan, because he knew David would be most solicitous to know their fate; for Saul was the man whom he most feared and Jonathan the man whom he most loved. 3. He gives him a more particular account of the death of Saul. It is probable that David had heard, by the report of others, what the issue of the war was, for multitudes resorted to him, it should seem, in consequence; but he was desirous to know the certainty of the report concerning Saul and Jonathan, either because he was not forward to believe it or because he would not proceed upon it to make his own claims till he was fully assured of it. He therefore asks, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan are dead? in answer to which the young man tells him a very ready story, putting it past doubt that Saul was dead, for he himself had been not only an eye-witness of his death, but an instrument of it, and therefore David might rely upon his testimony. He says nothing, in his narrative, of the death of Jonathan, knowing how ungrateful that would be to David, but accounts only for Saul, thinking (as David understood it well enough, Sa2 4:10) that he should be welcome for that, and rewarded as one that brought good tidings. The account he gives of this matter is, (1.) Very particular. That he happened to go to the place where Saul was (Sa2 1:6) as a passenger, not as a soldier, and therefore an indifferent person, that he found Saul endeavouring to run himself through with his own spear, none of his attendants being willing to do it for him; and, it seems, he could not do it dexterously for himself: his hand and heart failed him. The miserable man had not courage enough either to live or die; he therefore called this stranger to him (Sa2 1:7), enquired what countryman he was, for, provided he was not a Philistine, he would gladly receive from his hand the coup de grace (as the French call it concerning those that are broken on the wheel) - the merciful stroke, that might dispatch him out of his pain. Understanding that he was an Amalekite (neither one of his subjects nor one of his enemies), he begs this favour from him (Sa2 1:9): Stand upon me, and slay me. He is now sick of his dignity and willing to be trampled upon, sick of his life and willing to be slain. Who then would be inordinately fond of life or honour? The case may he such, even with those that have no hope in their death, that yet they may desire to die, and death flee from them, Rev 9:6. Anguish has come upon me; so we read it, as a complaint of the pain and terror his spirit was seized with. If his conscience now brought to mind the javelin he had cast at David, his pride, malice, and perfidiousness, and especially the murder of the priests, no marvel that anguish came upon him: moles (they say) open their eyes when they are dying. Sense of unpardoned guilt will make death indeed the king of terrors. Those that have baffled their convictions will perhaps, in their dying moments, be overpowered by them. The margin reads it as a complaint of the inconvenience of his clothes; that his coat of mail which he had for defence, or his embroidered coat which he had for ornament, hindered him, that he could not get the spear far enough into his body, or so straitened him, now that his body swelled with anguish, that he could not expire. Let no man's clothes be his pride, for it may so happen that they may be his burden and snare. "Hereupon," saith our young man, "I stood upon him, and slew him" (Sa2 1:10) at which word, perhaps, he observed David look upon him with some show of displeasure, and therefore he excuses himself in the next words: "For I was sure he could not live; his life was whole in him indeed, but he would certainly have fallen into the hands of the Philistines or given himself another thrust." (2.) It is doubtful whether this story be true. If it be, the righteousness of God is to be observed, that Saul, who spared the Amalekites in contempt of the divine command, received his death's wound from an Amalekite. But most interpreters think that it was false, and that, though he might happen to be present, yet he was not assisting in the death of Saul, but told David so in expectation that he would reward him for it, as having done him a piece of good service. Those who would rejoice at the fall of an enemy are apt to measure others by themselves, and to think that they will do so too. But a man after God's own heart is not to be judged of by common men. I am not clear whether this young man's story was true or no: it may consist with the narrative in the chapter before, and be an addition to it, as Peter's account of the death of Judas (Act 1:18) is to the narrative, Mat 27:5. What is there called a sword may here be called a spear, or when he fell upon his sword he leaned on his spear. (3.) However he produced that which was proof sufficient of the death of Saul, the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm. It should seem Saul was so foolishly fond of these as to wear them in the field of battle, which made him a fair mark for the archers, by distinguishing him from those about him; but as pride (we say) feels no cold, so it fears no danger, from that which gratifies it. These fell into the hands of this Amalekite. Saul spared the best of their spoil, and now the best of his came to one of that devoted nation. He brought them to David, as the rightful owner of them now that Saul was dead, not doubting but by his officiousness herein to recommend himself to the best preferments in his court or camp. The tradition of the Jews is that this Amalekite was the son of Doeg (for the Amalekites were descendants from Edom), and that Doeg, who they suppose was Saul's armour-bearer, before he slew himself gave Saul's crown and bracelet (the ensigns of his royalty) to his son, and bade him carry them to David, to curry favour with him. But this is a groundless conceit. Doeg's son, it is likely, was so well known to Saul that he needed not ask him as he did this Amalekite (Sa2 1:8), Who art thou? David had been long waiting for the crown, and now it was brought to him by an Amalekite. See how God can serve his own purposes of kindness to his people, even by designing (ill-designing) men, who aim at nothing but to set up themselves.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–10. Public domain.
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Richard ChallonerAD 1781
This Book relates the transactions from the death of Saul until the end of David's reign, being a history for the space of about forty-six years.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Second Samuel opens with a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking the definitive end of King Saul's tumultuous reign and setting the stage for David's long-awaited ascendancy to the throne. This verse finds David not on the battlefield where Saul met his end, but in the Philistine town of Ziklag, where he had recently returned from a decisive victory over the Amalekites. It highlights David's state of waiting and recovery, underscoring the divine timing and orchestration of events that would soon propel him into the kingship over Judah, and eventually, all Israel.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The opening verse of 2 Samuel masterfully employs several literary devices to set the stage for the narrative to follow. Narrative Transition is paramount, as the verse explicitly bridges the events of 1 Samuel with the new developments in 2 Samuel, signaling a major shift in the historical and theological landscape of Israel. Juxtaposition is evident in the contrast between Saul's defeat and death on Mount Gilboa (implied by "after the death of Saul") and David's recent decisive victory over the Amalekites. This highlights David's flourishing while Saul's dynasty crumbles. There is also a subtle Irony in David, the divinely chosen king of Israel, being in a Philistine city while the current Israelite king dies fighting Israel's enemies. The phrase "abode two days" creates a sense of Suspense and Foreshadowing, as the reader, aware of the preceding events, knows momentous news is imminent, building anticipation for the messenger's arrival and the subsequent unfolding of David's destiny.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the overarching theme of God's sovereignty and meticulous timing in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It demonstrates that God's purposes are not thwarted by human failures or political chaos; rather, He orchestrates events, even tragic ones, to bring about His chosen ends. David's absence from Saul's final battle, his recent victory, and his two-day wait in Ziklag are not coincidences but divinely arranged circumstances that prepare the way for his legitimate and uncontested ascent to the throne. This highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly His anointing of David, and His ability to work through humble and unexpected circumstances to fulfill His grand design for His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The opening of 2 Samuel presents David in a posture of waiting and recovery, unaware of the monumental shift that has just occurred in the kingdom he is destined to lead. This resonates deeply with the human experience, reminding us that God's plans often unfold in His perfect timing, frequently while we are engaged in the seemingly mundane tasks or trials immediately before us. David was faithful in leading his men, pursuing their enemies, and recovering from the Amalekite raid, as detailed in 1 Samuel 30. It was in this posture of diligent faithfulness in his current circumstances that the news arrived that would change his future forever. This narrative encourages us to remain faithful and diligent in our present situations, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may appear. We are called to steward our current responsibilities with integrity and trust, knowing that God is orchestrating the larger events of our lives and the world, preparing us for what lies ahead, and ultimately fulfilling His purposes in ways we cannot always foresee. Our faithfulness in the "two days in Ziklag" prepares us for the "death of Saul" moments that usher in new seasons of divine purpose.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was David in Ziklag, a Philistine city, when Saul died?
Answer: David was in Ziklag because he had fled from King Saul's relentless pursuit, which had lasted for many years. Unable to find safety within Israel, David sought refuge with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, who granted him Ziklag as a dwelling place (1 Samuel 27:6). This arrangement provided David with a secure base for himself and his 600 men, allowing him to operate independently of Saul's authority and even conduct raids on other enemies of Israel, while maintaining a tenuous alliance with the Philistines. His presence there ensured his separation from the final, tragic battle of Mount Gilboa, highlighting God's providential hand in his protection.
What was the significance of David's "slaughter of the Amalekites" just before this news?
Answer: The "slaughter of the Amalekites" (detailed in 1 Samuel 30) was highly significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrated David's continued leadership, military prowess, and reliance on God's guidance, as he inquired of the Lord before pursuing them (1 Samuel 30:8). Second, it was a personal vindication for David and his men, as the Amalekites had raided Ziklag and taken their families captive. David's complete recovery of "all that the Amalekites had carried away" (1 Samuel 30:19) showcased God's faithfulness to him. Third, and most crucially for the narrative of 2 Samuel, this engagement kept David occupied and away from the battle where Saul died, ensuring that David was not implicated in Saul's demise and highlighting God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the timing of events for David's legitimate succession.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The transition from Saul to David in 2 Samuel 1:1, marked by divine timing and David's providential separation from Saul's fate, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate transition of kingdoms and the establishment of the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. Just as David, the shepherd-king, was prepared through trials and waiting, so too was Christ, the true Son of David (Matthew 1:1), prepared for His messianic mission through a life of humility, suffering, and perfect obedience. David's decisive victory over the Amalekites, a persistent enemy, prefigures Christ's ultimate and complete victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness through His sacrificial death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15). While Saul's kingdom ended in tragedy due to disobedience, David's kingdom, though imperfect, pointed to the coming King whose kingdom "will have no end" (Luke 1:32-33). Christ, the true Lamb of God, was not present at the "slaughter" of the old covenant or the old order, but through His own voluntary "slaughter" on the cross, He inaugurated a new and eternal kingdom, rescuing us from the domain of darkness and transferring us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). Thus, 2 Samuel 1:1 with its emphasis on divine timing and the transition to a chosen king, serves as an Old Testament echo of God's greater plan to establish the reign of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16), whose dominion is everlasting.