2 Samuel 4:10

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

When one told {H5046} me, saying {H559}, Behold, Saul {H7586} is dead {H4191}, thinking to have brought {H5869} good tidings {H1319}, I took hold {H270} of him, and slew {H2026} him in Ziklag {H6860}, who thought that I would have given {H5414} him a reward for his tidings {H1309}:

Complete Jewish Bible

when someone told me, 'Here, Sha'ul is dead,' thinking to himself that he was bringing good news, I didn't reward him for his news but seized him and killed him in Ziklag.

Berean Standard Bible

when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news!

American Standard Version

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, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 4:10, King David recounts a pivotal past event to justify his swift and severe judgment upon Baanah and Rechab, the assassins of Ish-bosheth. He recalls the fate of the Amalekite who falsely claimed to have killed King Saul, expecting a reward for what he believed were "good tidings." David, however, executed him in Ziklag for laying hands on the Lord's anointed, establishing a clear precedent for his unwavering commitment to divine authority and justice, and serving as a stark warning against treachery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within David's response to Baanah and Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, who murdered Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and the nominal king over Israel. They brought Ish-bosheth's head to David, presuming they would be rewarded for eliminating his rival and clearing his path to the throne (2 Samuel 4:8). David's immediate and furious reaction in 2 Samuel 4:9-12 draws a direct parallel to an earlier incident detailed in [2 Samuel 1:1-16](/2_samuel/1-1 "2 Samuel 1 - David Hears of Saul's Death"). In that account, an Amalekite messenger claimed responsibility for Saul's death, expecting commendation from David. David's consistent response in both instances underscores his profound reverence for God's anointed, regardless of personal gain or political expediency. The narrative flow highlights David's moral consistency and his role as an instrument of divine justice, contrasting sharply with the opportunistic and self-serving actions of the assassins.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in 2 Samuel is one of transition and civil war following Saul's death. Israel was divided, with Ish-bosheth ruling over the northern tribes from Mahanaim and David ruling over Judah from Hebron. The concept of "the Lord's anointed" (מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה, _meshiach Yahweh_) was central to Israelite kingship, signifying that the king was divinely chosen and consecrated, making any act against him an act against God's established order. Regicide, even of a fallen king, was considered a heinous crime. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, messengers bringing news of a king's death, especially if it benefited a successor, might expect a reward. However, David's response subverted this expectation, demonstrating a unique theological understanding of kingship that transcended mere political power plays. Ziklag, a Philistine city where David had taken refuge, serves as the geographical backdrop for the earlier execution, emphasizing that David's principle was established even before he became king over all Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **Respect for God's Anointed**, a principle David consistently upheld despite Saul's relentless pursuit of him. David's actions here reinforce the idea that God’s chosen leaders, even flawed ones, are to be honored and their lives protected, as seen in David's refusal to harm Saul in [1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul") and [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Spares Saul Again"). This also highlights **Divine Justice**, as David acts as God's instrument, ensuring that those who presume to take the life of a king, even one who had fallen from God's favor, face severe consequences. David does not tolerate treachery or the usurpation of God's prerogative. Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates **Misjudgment and Consequences**. Both the Amalekite and Ish-bosheth's assassins completely misjudged David's character and moral compass, expecting reward for acts David deemed abhorrent. This underscores the danger of acting on self-serving assumptions rather than divine principles and the profound difference between human expediency and God's righteous standards.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **good tidings (Hebrew, _besorah'_):** The Hebrew word בְּשׂוֹרָה (_besorah_) literally means "good news" or "a message of good things." The irony in 2 Samuel 4:10 is profound: the Amalekite presented what he believed was _besorah_—news that would surely please David and earn him a reward—yet for David, the death of God's anointed, even his adversary, was anything but good news. This term, which later develops significant theological weight in the New Testament as "gospel" (εὐαγγέλιον, _euangelion_), here highlights the stark contrast between human perception of "good" (political advantage) and divine perspective (the sanctity of God's chosen).
* **slew him (Hebrew, _va'ehregehu'_):** The verb וָאֶהְרְגֵהוּ (_va'ehregehu_), "and I killed him," emphasizes the decisive and personal nature of David's action. This was not a casual act but a deliberate execution, reflecting David's conviction that the Amalekite had committed a grave offense against God's established order. David took direct responsibility for the act, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the principle he upheld, even when it meant executing someone who thought they were acting in his favor. This highlights David's role as an executor of justice, not merely a recipient of political gain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead":** This clause sets the scene, recalling the moment the Amalekite messenger delivered the news of Saul's demise to David in Ziklag, as detailed in [2 Samuel 1:1-10](/2_samuel/1-1 "2 Samuel 1:1-10 - The Amalekite's Report"). The messenger's direct address, "Behold, Saul is dead," suggests an expectation of a positive reaction from David, given Saul's relentless pursuit of him.
* **"thinking to have brought good tidings":** This phrase reveals the Amalekite's profound miscalculation of David's character and principles. He perceived Saul's death as beneficial news for David, assuming David would be pleased to have his rival removed. This highlights the messenger's self-serving motivation and his failure to grasp David's reverence for the divine anointing of kingship, which transcended personal animosity.
* **"I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag":** This describes David's swift and decisive action. Instead of a reward, the Amalekite met immediate execution. The location, Ziklag, is significant as it was David's base during his exile, underscoring that this principle of respecting God's anointed was firmly established in David's character even before he fully assumed the throne of Israel. David's personal involvement ("I took hold of him, and slew him") underscores the gravity of the offense and his commitment to justice.
* **"who [thought] that I would have given him a reward for his tidings":** This final clause reiterates the Amalekite's mistaken expectation, emphasizing the stark contrast between his worldly, opportunistic mindset and David's divinely informed moral compass. The messenger's assumption of reward for regicide reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of David's integrity and his profound respect for God's sovereign choice, even when that choice was embodied in his enemy.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the "good tidings" (בְּשׂוֹרָה, _besorah_) the Amalekite expected to bring a reward instead brought his own death. This highlights the vast chasm between human perception and divine standards. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing** and **Parallelism** with the current situation. David's recounting of the Amalekite's fate serves as a direct warning and a precedent for the fate of Ish-bosheth's assassins. The parallel between the two incidents underscores David's consistent moral framework and his unwavering commitment to divine justice, demonstrating that he is not a man to be manipulated by political expediency or self-serving ambition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's actions in 2 Samuel 4:10 are deeply rooted in a profound theological understanding of God's sovereignty and the sanctity of His chosen instruments. His refusal to celebrate Saul's death or reward those who claimed responsibility for it demonstrates a submission to God's will that transcends personal interest or political gain. David understood that Saul, despite his failures and hostility, remained "the Lord's anointed." To lay hands on him, even in death, was to violate a sacred trust and usurp God's prerogative to appoint and remove kings. This principle underscores the divine origin of authority and the accountability of those who wield it, as well as the grave consequences for those who disrespect it. David's swift justice serves as a testament to his commitment to upholding God's righteous order in the nascent kingdom.

* [1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul's Life")
* [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Refuses to Harm Saul")
* [Psalm 105:15](/psalms/105-15 "Psalm 105:15 - Do Not Touch My Anointed Ones")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's decisive action in 2 Samuel 4:10 offers profound lessons for believers today concerning integrity, discernment, and respect for authority. In a world often driven by self-interest and the pursuit of personal gain, David's unwavering commitment to God's principles, even when seemingly counter-intuitive to his own advancement, stands as a powerful example. We are called to discern what truly constitutes "good news" from God's perspective, not our own, and to trust in His ultimate judgment and timing. This passage challenges us to examine our own motives when dealing with authority, whether in the church, government, or family, and to resist the temptation to act opportunistically or to undermine those God has placed in positions of leadership, even when we disagree with them. It reminds us that true righteousness often requires sacrificing personal advantage for the sake of divine principle.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's response challenge our modern tendency to celebrate the downfall of those we oppose, especially in political or social spheres?**
* **What does "respect for God's anointed" look like in contemporary contexts, particularly when we disagree with or are harmed by those in authority?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Amalekite, misjudge a situation, expecting reward for actions that are actually contrary to God's will or character?**
* **How can we cultivate a heart that prioritizes divine principles over personal gain or political expediency, as exemplified by David?**

### FAQ
**Why did David kill the Amalekite messenger who claimed to have killed Saul?**

Answer: David killed the Amalekite messenger not because he was upset about Saul's death per se, but because the messenger claimed to have laid hands on "the Lord's anointed" (Saul), a sacrilegious act in David's eyes. David consistently demonstrated profound respect for God's chosen king, even when Saul was his enemy and actively sought his life ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul") and [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Refuses to Harm Saul")). The Amalekite's claim, whether true or false, was a boast of regicide against a divinely appointed king, an act David considered an affront to God's sovereignty and worthy of death. He saw himself as executing divine justice.

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

Answer: It is highly unlikely the Amalekite was telling the truth. The account in [1 Samuel 31:4-5](/1_samuel/31-4 "1 Samuel 31:4-5 - Saul's Death") explicitly states that Saul fell on his own sword, and his armor-bearer refused to kill him. The Amalekite likely fabricated or embellished his story, perhaps finding Saul already dead or dying, and then taking Saul's crown and armlet to present as proof to David ([2 Samuel 1:10](/2_samuel/1-10 "2 Samuel 1:10 - The Amalekite's Account")). He probably thought this "good tidings" would earn him a reward from David, unaware of David's deep reverence for the Lord's anointed. His lie, intended for personal gain, sealed his fate.

**What is the significance of David executing the Amalekite in Ziklag?**

Answer: Ziklag was a Philistine city where David and his men had taken refuge from Saul ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - David at Ziklag")). The execution of the Amalekite there, as recounted in [2 Samuel 1:15](/2_samuel/1-15 "2 Samuel 1:15 - David Orders the Amalekite Killed"), is significant because it demonstrates that David's principle of respecting God's anointed was not a political maneuver adopted after he became king, but a deeply held conviction that guided his actions even during his exile. It established a clear precedent for his future reign, showing that he would not tolerate acts of treachery or disrespect against God-given authority, even if they seemed to benefit him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's unwavering commitment to upholding the sanctity of "the Lord's anointed," even at personal cost, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ. While David executed the Amalekite for claiming to have slain a king who was God's anointed, Christ, the true King and ultimate Anointed One ([Psalm 2:2](/psalms/2-2 "Psalm 2:2 - The Lord's Anointed")), willingly allowed Himself to be "slain" by human hands, not for His own sin, but for the sins of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The "good tidings" (בְּשׂוֹרָה, _besorah_) that the Amalekite mistakenly thought would bring reward find their true and glorious fulfillment in the "good news" (εὐαγγέλιον, _euangelion_) of Christ's death and resurrection. His sacrifice, far from being an act of rebellion against God's anointed, was the ultimate act of obedience ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")), fulfilling God's righteous plan for salvation. Unlike Saul, whose death was a tragedy despite his anointing, Christ's death was the triumph that brought true reward—eternal life—to all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). David's justice prefigures God's perfect justice, which is fully revealed in Christ, who both upholds divine law and provides atonement for its violation, transforming the "bad news" of sin into the glorious "good news" of redemption.

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

2 Samuel 1:2

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.

2 Samuel 1:16

And 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.