2 Samuel 1:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} called {H7121} one {H259} of the young men {H5288}, and said {H559}, Go near {H5066}, and fall {H6293} upon him. And he smote {H5221} him that he died {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David called one of his young men and said, "Go over to him, and kill him." The man struck him down, and he died.

Berean Standard Bible

Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 1:15 records King David's decisive and immediate judgment upon an Amalekite who claimed responsibility for King Saul's death. This pivotal moment, occurring directly after David receives news of Saul's demise and Israel's defeat, profoundly showcases David's unwavering reverence for God's anointed, his commitment to divine justice, and his swift, uncompromising character as he steps into his destined role as the new king over Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a dramatic and crucial turning point in the narrative, immediately following the Amalekite's self-incriminating account of Saul's death on Mount Gilboa. The Amalekite's narrative ([2 Samuel 1:6-10](/2_samuel/1-6-10 "2 Samuel 1:6-10 - The Amalekite's Account of Saul's Death")) directly contradicts the earlier, more reliable account in [1 Samuel 31:4-5](/1_samuel/31-4-5 "1 Samuel 31:4-5 - Saul's Suicide"), which states that Saul fell on his own sword. The Amalekite, likely seeking favor and reward from David, presents Saul's crown and bracelet as proof of his deed ([2 Samuel 1:10](/2_samuel/1-10 "2 Samuel 1:10 - The Amalekite Presents Saul's Insignia")). However, David's response is not one of celebration over a rival's demise, but of profound grief, lamentation, and swift, uncompromising judgment. This act sets a foundational tone for David's reign, demonstrating his unwavering reverence for the sacred office of God's anointed king, even when that king was his adversary. It also highlights David's commitment to justice, even at the cost of personal gain or political expediency.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a long-standing, bitter enemy of Israel, against whom God had declared perpetual war ([Exodus 17:16](/exodus/17-16 "Exodus 17:16 - War Against Amalek")). King Saul himself had been commanded by God through Samuel to utterly destroy the Amalekites, but he famously failed to carry out this divine mandate completely, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock ([1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek"), [1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul Spares Agag")). This historical backdrop adds a profound layer of irony and divine judgment to the Amalekite's fate. He, a descendant of a people Israel was commanded to annihilate, now claims to have killed Israel's king, the very one who failed to complete the divine task against his people. Culturally, touching or harming a king, especially God's anointed, was considered an act of sacrilege, punishable by death. The Amalekite's expectation of reward reveals a profound misunderstanding of David's character and the spiritual significance of kingship in Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in 2 Samuel and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Vengeance**, demonstrating that actions against God's anointed, whether truly committed or falsely claimed, have severe consequences. David acts as an agent of divine justice, punishing what he perceives as a heinous crime against the Lord's chosen. Secondly, it reinforces David's consistent and unwavering **Respect for God's Anointed**. Throughout his conflict with Saul, David repeatedly refused to harm him, even when presented with clear opportunities ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"), [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Spares Saul at the Camp")). This execution solidifies David's character as one who reveres God's established order and authority. Finally, the incident highlights the **Consequences of Presumption and Falsehood**. The Amalekite's boastful, likely fabricated or embellished story, intended to curry favor and gain reward, instead led directly to his swift demise, serving as a stark warning against deceit and self-serving manipulation, especially in matters of life and death before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fall (Hebrew, _pâgaʻ'_):** From H6293, this primitive root means "to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity." In this context, David's command "fall upon him" is an imperative for a violent, lethal encounter. It signifies not merely to approach, but to strike with deadly force, leading to the Amalekite's demise. The word underscores the immediate and fatal intent of David's order.
* **smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** From H5221, this primitive root means "to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill." Here, it describes the executioner's action, confirming that the young man delivered a fatal blow as commanded. The use of this verb leaves no ambiguity about the outcome: the Amalekite was killed, demonstrating the severity and finality of David's judgment.
* **died (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** From H4191, this primitive root means "to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill." This word explicitly states the ultimate consequence of the smiting. It confirms the successful completion of David's command and the finality of the judgment against the Amalekite. The pairing of "smote" and "died" emphasizes the direct cause-and-effect of the execution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David called one of the young men,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes David's direct and personal involvement in the judgment. He does not delegate the decision or delay, but personally summons an agent to carry out his will. This highlights his decisive leadership and the gravity with which he views the situation.
* **"and said, Go near, [and] fall upon him."**: This is David's unequivocal command for execution. The phrase "Go near" indicates proximity and readiness for action, while "fall upon him" (as explored in Key Word Analysis) is a direct order to strike the Amalekite down fatally. David's words are precise and leave no room for misunderstanding regarding the intended outcome.
* **"And he smote him that he died."**: This final clause confirms the immediate and effective execution of David's command. The young man, acting on David's authority, delivers the fatal blow, bringing the Amalekite's life to an end. The swiftness of the action underscores the gravity of the Amalekite's confessed crime in David's eyes, and the finality of the divine justice he enacted.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Samuel 1:15 employs several potent literary devices. There is significant **Irony** in the Amalekite's fate: he, a descendant of a people Israel was commanded to destroy, attempts to gain favor by claiming to have killed the very king who failed to complete that divine command. His attempt at self-promotion leads directly to his own destruction. The passage also uses **Characterization** through action, immediately establishing David as a king who prioritizes divine justice and respect for God's anointed over personal gain or political expediency. His swift, uncompromising judgment acts as a **Foreshadowing** of his reign, indicating a leader who will rule with a strong hand and a deep reverence for Yahweh's decrees. The **Contrast** between the Amalekite's false boast (or at least, embellished truth) and the true account of Saul's death ([1 Samuel 31:4-5](/1_samuel/31-4-5 "1 Samuel 31:4-5 - Saul's Suicide")) underscores the theme of truth versus deception, with severe consequences for the latter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's execution of the Amalekite resonates with profound theological implications, underscoring the sanctity of God's anointing and the severe consequences for those who presume to touch it. This act is not merely a display of personal vengeance but a demonstration of David's understanding of divine justice and the sacredness of the kingly office established by God. It highlights that God holds His chosen leaders in a unique regard, and any act against them, particularly regicide, is seen as an affront to God Himself. David, who consistently refused to lay a hand on Saul despite provocation, here acts as God's agent, upholding a divine standard for kingship and demonstrating that true leadership involves a zealous commitment to righteousness, even when it is costly or unpopular. This event also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of deceit and seeking personal gain through falsehood, as the Amalekite's lie (or exaggeration) directly led to his demise, illustrating that God's justice ultimately prevails.

* [1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "David Spares Saul in the Cave")
* [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "David Refuses to Harm Saul")
* [Romans 13:1-2](/romans/13-1-2 "Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The swift and uncompromising justice meted out by David in 2 Samuel 1:15 serves as a powerful, albeit challenging, lesson for believers today. While we live under the New Covenant, the underlying principles of respecting God-ordained authority, upholding truth, and understanding the gravity of sin remain timeless. This passage calls us to consider the seriousness with which God views those He has set apart, whether in spiritual or secular leadership, and the consequences of undermining or attacking such authority. It also serves as a stark warning against the dangers of dishonesty and manipulation, particularly when seeking personal advantage. The Amalekite's fate reminds us that our words and claims have real-world, and potentially eternal, consequences. For the Christian, this translates into a call for integrity, a reverence for all life, and a commitment to justice that reflects God's own character, even when it demands difficult choices and a willingness to stand for truth regardless of popular opinion or personal cost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate response to the Amalekite challenge modern notions of justice and compassion?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Amalekite, be tempted to exaggerate or fabricate truth for personal gain, and what are the potential consequences?**
* **How does David's consistent respect for Saul, God's anointed, inform our understanding of respecting authority, even when we disagree with or are wronged by those in power?**

### FAQ

**Why did David execute the Amalekite so swiftly, especially since the Amalekite claimed to have helped David by killing his rival?**

Answer: David's swift execution of the Amalekite was rooted in several profound reasons, primarily his unwavering respect for God's anointed king. David had twice refused to harm Saul, even when Saul was actively trying to kill him ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul in the Cave") and [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Refuses to Harm Saul")). For David, touching "the Lord's anointed" was a sacrilege, an act against God Himself. The Amalekite, by his own confession, claimed to have committed this ultimate offense. Furthermore, David likely saw this as an act of divine justice against an Amalekite, a people against whom God had declared perpetual war ([Exodus 17:16](/exodus/17-16 "Exodus 17:16 - War with Amalek")), and whom Saul himself had failed to utterly destroy ([1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - Command to Destroy Amalek")). David's action immediately established his character as a king who honored God's decrees and sacred institutions above personal ambition or political convenience.

**Was the Amalekite telling the truth about killing Saul?**

Answer: The Amalekite's story, as recorded in [2 Samuel 1:6-10](/2_samuel/1-6-10 "2 Samuel 1:6-10 - The Amalekite's Account"), directly contradicts the account of Saul's death found in [1 Samuel 31:4-5](/1_samuel/31-4-5 "1 Samuel 31:4-5 - Saul's Suicide"), which states that Saul fell on his own sword. It is highly probable that the Amalekite either fabricated the story entirely or significantly embellished it, perhaps finding Saul already dead or dying and then taking his crown and bracelet as proof. He likely assumed David would be pleased to hear of Saul's death and would reward the one who delivered the news, or even claimed to have delivered the final blow. Regardless of the full truth, the Amalekite's *confession* of having "slain the Lord's anointed" was sufficient grounds for David's judgment. His lie, or at least his presumption, sealed his fate.

**What does this event tell us about David's character as a king?**

Answer: This event provides crucial insight into David's character and foreshadows the nature of his kingship. It demonstrates his deep reverence for God's established order and the sacredness of the kingly office. Unlike a ruthless usurper, David did not rejoice in Saul's death but mourned deeply, and he punished severely anyone who claimed to have harmed God's anointed. This act immediately establishes David as a man of justice, integrity, and profound spiritual sensitivity, qualities that would define his reign. It shows he was not driven by personal vendetta or political expediency, but by a desire to uphold God's law and honor His chosen ones. This sets him apart as a king "after God's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - A Man After God's Own Heart")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's zealous act of justice in 2 Samuel 1:15, punishing the one who claimed to have touched God's anointed, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate authority and righteous judgment of Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King. Just as David fiercely protected the sanctity of the kingly office, so Christ, the [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus"), is the one through whom all divine justice is executed. The Amalekite's swift demise for presuming to lay hands on Saul, God's anointed, serves as a stark reminder of the judgment awaiting those who reject or harm God's ultimate Anointed One. Christ, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not to destroy but to save, yet He is also the one to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One")). His return will be marked by righteous judgment against all who have opposed Him and His kingdom ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ on a White Horse")). David's action, while earthly and imperfect, points to the perfect justice of Christ, who will ultimately bring to account every deed and every word, establishing a kingdom where righteousness reigns supreme and all who have rebelled against God's Anointed will face their just recompense.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

1 Samuel 22:17

And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also [is] with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

1 Samuel 22:18

And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

Judges 8:20

And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, [and] slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he [was] yet a youth.

2 Samuel 4:10

When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who [thought] that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:

2 Samuel 4:12

And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged [them] up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried [it] in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

Proverbs 11:18

¶ The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.