TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
It came even to pass on the third H7992 day H3117, that, behold, a man H376 came H935 out of the camp H4264 from Saul H7586 with his clothes H899 rent H7167, and earth H127 upon his head H7218: and so it was, when he came H935 to David H1732, that he fell H5307 to the earth H776, and did obeisance H7812.
Complete Jewish Bible
On the third day, there came a man from Sha'ul's camp with his clothes torn and earth on his head. He approached David, fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
Berean Standard Bible
On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage.
American Standard Version
it 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.
World English Bible Messianic
on the third day, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and showed respect.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Behold, a man came the third day out of the host from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth vpon his head: and when hee came to Dauid, he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, on the third day, that lo, a man hath come in out of the camp from Saul, and his garments are rent, and earth on his head; and it cometh to pass, in his coming in unto David, that he falleth to the earth, and doth obeisance.
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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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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 1:2 dramatically opens the book with the arrival of a lone messenger on the third day after the devastating battle of Mount Gilboa. His disheveled appearance—clothes torn and earth upon his head—immediately conveys profound distress and tragic news, signaling a national catastrophe. Upon encountering David, the messenger performs a deep prostration, a gesture of profound respect and submission, setting a solemn and pivotal tone for the impending revelation of King Saul and Jonathan's deaths and the subsequent, divinely orchestrated transition of power to David.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The opening of 2 Samuel employs several powerful Literary Devices to immediately immerse the reader in the unfolding drama and heighten the emotional impact. Foreshadowing is prominently used, as the messenger's disheveled appearance and prostrate posture unmistakably signal dire news, creating intense suspense and anticipation before any words are spoken. Symbolism is richly employed through the vivid visual cues of "clothes rent, and earth upon his head," which are potent symbols of deep mourning, national catastrophe, and abject distress in ancient Near Eastern culture. The act of "did obeisance" also serves as Symbolism, representing profound submission and recognition of David's burgeoning authority. The narrative further utilizes Dramatic Irony, as the reader is already aware of Saul's death from 1 Samuel 31, while David remains ignorant, thereby significantly heightening the emotional impact of the messenger's impending revelation. Finally, the scene evokes a strong sense of Pathos, drawing the reader into the gravity of the moment and preparing them for David's genuine and profound lament.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though brief, is pregnant with profound theological significance, marking a divinely orchestrated transition in Israel's history. It highlights that even in moments of profound human tragedy and national crisis, God's sovereign plan for His people continues to unfold with unwavering purpose. The death of Saul, while grievous and a consequence of his disobedience, was a necessary step in the establishment of the Davidic covenant, ushering in a kingdom "after God's own heart." The scene underscores the reality that divine purposes are often realized not through triumphalism or human might, but through suffering, loss, and the humble reception of difficult truths. David's posture of waiting and his subsequent authentic grief for Saul, even his adversary, demonstrate a heart aligned with God's justice and mercy, setting a crucial precedent for righteous and compassionate leadership.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic arrival of the messenger in 2 Samuel 1:2 powerfully illustrates the universal human experience of receiving devastating news and the deeply ingrained expressions of grief. It reminds us that significant transitions, even those that lead to prophesied blessings and new beginnings, are often accompanied by profound sorrow and loss. David's immediate context of unknowing, followed by the dramatic revelation, mirrors how we often face life's pivotal moments—unprepared, yet called to respond with integrity and faith. This passage challenges us to consider how we receive and process difficult information, whether personal or communal. Do we allow ourselves to truly lament and acknowledge the pain, or do we rush past the sorrow in pursuit of what's next? David's example, even before the news is fully delivered, suggests a leader who is deeply empathetic and attuned to the gravity of national suffering. For us, it underscores the importance of genuine lament, compassion for those who suffer, and the solemnity required when facing the end of one season and the beginning of another, trusting in God's overarching plan even amidst profound sorrow.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "the third day" in this verse?
Answer: While "the third day" in other biblical contexts, particularly in the New Testament, carries profound theological significance related to resurrection and new beginnings, its meaning in 2 Samuel 1:2 is primarily temporal. It indicates that three days had passed since the battle on Mount Gilboa, allowing the messenger sufficient time to travel from the battlefield to Ziklag, where David was located. It marks the precise moment when the news, which would irrevocably change David's life and the course of Israel's history, finally arrived. Thus, it signifies the completion of the interval between the event and its revelation, rather than a direct theological parallel to resurrection.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene of a messenger bringing tidings of death and ushering in a new era in 2 Samuel 1:2 finds profound resonance and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David, though a man after God's own heart and a type of the coming Messiah, was an imperfect king whose reign was inaugurated through national tragedy and the death of his predecessor. His eventual kingship, however, profoundly foreshadowed the ultimate, perfect King. The "third day" motif, while not explicitly messianic here, subtly echoes the resurrection of Christ on the third day, which marked the definitive end of sin's reign and death's dominion, and the glorious inauguration of God's eternal kingdom. The messenger, bearing news of death but paving the way for a new king, can be seen as a type of gospel messenger, proclaiming the death of the old order (the law, sin, death) and the coming of the new, everlasting reign of Christ. Just as David grieved for Saul, even his adversary, Christ demonstrated ultimate love and compassion, dying for His enemies to bring them into His kingdom (Romans 5:8). The humble obeisance shown to David anticipates the universal homage that will one day be paid to the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord, establishing a reign of peace and righteousness that far surpasses David's.