2 Samuel 1:6

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.

And the young man {H5288} that told {H5046} him said {H559}, As I happened {H7136} by chance {H7122} upon mount {H2022} Gilboa {H1533}, behold, Saul {H7586} leaned {H8172} upon his spear {H2595}; and, lo, the chariots {H7393} and horsemen {H1167}{H6571} followed hard {H1692} after him.

The young man who had told him said, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa when I saw Sha'ul leaning on his spear. The chariots and cavalry were bearing down on him.

“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry closing in on him.

And 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.

Commentary

In 2 Samuel 1:6, we hear the dramatic, though ultimately questionable, account from an Amalekite young man to David regarding the final moments of King Saul. This verse provides a vivid picture of the desperate situation Saul faced on Mount Gilboa during the battle against the Philistines.

Context

This verse is part of the Amalekite's narrative to David, who has just learned of the defeat of Israel and the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan. David, having been in Ziklag, is seeking confirmation and details of the battle. The Amalekite claims to have been an eyewitness to Saul's death, presenting himself as the one who delivered the final blow, a claim that contradicts the account in 1 Samuel 31:4-5 where Saul falls on his own sword. The setting is Mount Gilboa, a significant battlefield where Israel suffered a crushing defeat.

Key Themes

  • Desperation in Battle: The imagery of Saul leaning on his spear while "chariots and horsemen followed hard after him" paints a picture of a king cornered and overwhelmed, facing an inevitable end. It highlights the brutal reality and chaos of ancient warfare.
  • The Tragic End of a King: This verse foreshadows the death of King Saul, marking the end of an era for Israel. His final moments are depicted as a desperate flight from relentless enemies, a stark contrast to his initial anointing as king.
  • Contradictory Narratives: While this verse describes what the Amalekite said he saw, it introduces a narrative that differs from the earlier biblical account of Saul's death, prompting readers to consider the reliability of the messenger and his motives in reporting to David.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "happened by chance upon mount Gilboa" (KJV) emphasizes the Amalekite's claim of accidental discovery, perhaps to make his story more believable or to distance himself from direct involvement until he presents himself as the one who helped Saul. "Followed hard after him" powerfully conveys the relentless and intense pursuit by the Philistine forces, leaving Saul with no escape.

Practical Application and Reflection

While this verse describes a historical event, it offers several points for reflection:

  • Discerning Truth: The conflicting accounts of Saul's death remind us of the importance of seeking truth and not blindly accepting every testimony, particularly when motives might be at play. David's subsequent actions against the Amalekite (see 2 Samuel 1:15-16) show his judgment of the Amalekite's actions, if not the full veracity of his story.
  • The Consequences of Choices: Saul's tragic end on Mount Gilboa is often viewed as the culmination of a life marked by disobedience to God, as detailed in the books of Samuel. His final desperate moments underscore the gravity of turning away from divine guidance.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 28:4

    And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

  • 1 Samuel 6:9

    And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, [then] he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that [it is] not his hand [that] smote us: it [was] a chance [that] happened to us.

  • Luke 10:31

    And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:4

    Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:6

    So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.

  • Ruth 2:3

    And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field [belonging] unto Boaz, who [was] of the kindred of Elimelech.

  • 1 Samuel 31:1

    ¶ Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
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