2 Samuel1

After Saul's death, an Amalekite messenger informs David in Ziklag of the defeat of Israel and the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, claiming he personally slew Saul at the king's request. David and his men mourn deeply for the fallen. David then executes the Amalekite for laying hands on the Lord's anointed and composes a lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.

David Hears of Saul’s Death

1
Sha'ul had died, and David had been two days in Ziklag after returning from the slaughter of the 'Amaleki. ​
2
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. ​
3
David said to him, "Where are you coming from?""I escaped from the camp of Isra'el," he replied.
4
"Tell me, please, how did things go?" asked David. "The people have fled the battle," he answered, "and many of them are wounded or dead. Sha'ul and Y'honatan his son are dead too."
5
David asked the young man who had told him this, "How do you know that Sha'ul and Y'honatan his son are dead?"
6
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.
7
He looked behind him, saw me and called to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'
8
He said to me, 'Who are you?' and I answered, 'I'm an 'Amaleki' ​
9
He said to me, 'I'm in agony, and I'm going to die, but I'm still alive. So please, stand next to me; and kill me.'
10
So I stood next to him and killed him, because I was sure he was so badly wounded that he couldn't live. I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet on his arm and have brought them here to my lord." ​

David Executes the Amalekite Messenger

11
Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and likewise all the men who were with him. ​
12
They wailed and cried, and they fasted until evening for Sha'ul, for Y'honatan his son, for ADONAI's people and for the house of Isra'el; because they had fallen by the sword. ​
13
David said to the young man who had told him, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I'm the son of a [resident] foreigner, an 'Amaleki."
14
David asked him, "How is it that you weren't afraid to raise your hand to destroy ADONAI's anointed?" ​
15
David called one of his young men and said, "Go over to him, and kill him." The man struck him down, and he died.
16
David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head. Your own mouth convicted you when you said, 'I killed ADONAI's anointed.'" ​

David’s Lament Over Saul and Jonathan (The Song of the Bow)

17
Then David pronounced this lament over Sha'ul and over Y'honatan his son,
18
in order to teach the people of Y'hudah [not to underestimate] archery (the lament has been written down in the book of Yashar): ​
19
"Your glory, Isra'el, lies dead on your high places! How the heroes have fallen!
20
Don't speak of it in Gat; don't proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon; then the daughters of the P'lishtim won't rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised won't gloat. ​
21
"Mountains of Gilboa - may there be on you no dew, no rain, no fields with good crops; because there the shields of the heroes were dishonored, the shield of Sha'ul was no longer rubbed with oil. ​
22
"From the blood of the dead, from the flesh of heroes, the bow of Y'honatan did not retreat or the sword of Sha'ul return unsatisfied.
23
Sha'ul and Y'honatan, loved and gracious while alive, were not separated even in death; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. ​
24
"Daughters of Isra'el, weep over Sha'ul! He clothed you luxuriously in scarlet and put gold jewelry on your clothing.
25
"How the heroes have fallen in the heat of battle, Y'honatan killed on your high places!
26
I grieve for you, my brother Y'honatan, you meant so much to me! Your love for me was deeper than the love of women. ​
27
How the heroes have fallen and the weapons of war perished"

Study Notes for 2 Samuel 1

Verse 1

The transition from 1 Samuel to 2 Samuel focuses immediately on the death of Saul, which clears the way for David’s kingship. David had just returned from defeating the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag (1 Sam. 30).

Verse 2

The messenger’s actions—clothes rent and earth on his head—were traditional signs of extreme grief, ensuring David understood the gravity of the news immediately.

Verse 8

The messenger identifying himself as an Amalekite is highly significant. The Amalekites were sworn enemies of Israel, whom Saul had failed to utterly destroy (1 Sam. 15), leading to his rejection as king.

Verse 10

This account contradicts 1 Samuel 31:4-5, where Saul committed suicide by falling on his own sword. The Amalekite likely fabricated this story, believing David, Saul’s enemy, would reward him for killing the king. The crown and bracelet served as his false evidence.

Verse 11

David’s immediate and sincere mourning for Saul and Jonathan demonstrates both his genuine love for Jonathan and his political wisdom, refusing to celebrate the downfall of the LORD’s anointed.

Verse 12

The fasting and mourning lasted until evening, showing deep respect not only for the royal family but also for the common soldiers ('the people of the LORD') who had fallen in battle against the Philistines.

Verse 14

The title 'the LORD'S anointed' (Hebrew: *mashiach YHWH*) is the central theological justification for the execution. David consistently refused to harm Saul because he held the office consecrated by God, regardless of Saul’s personal wickedness or actions against David.

Verse 16

The messenger is condemned out of his own mouth, a key principle in Israelite law (Deut. 19:15). David establishes his reign immediately by demonstrating piety and legal authority in protecting the dignity of the sacred office of kingship.

Verse 18

The 'Book of Jasher' (or Jashar) was a collection of heroic poetry and national records, now lost, which served as a source for biblical writers. David’s command to teach the Song of the Bow ensured this lament became a part of Israel’s military and cultural memory.

Verse 20

Gath and Askelon were major cities of the Philistines. This verse expresses profound national shame, wishing to hide the devastating defeat lest Israel’s pagan enemies mock their God and their nation.

Verse 21

Gilboa is placed under a poetic curse. The absence of dew and rain symbolizes the land’s desolation and reflects the depth of the tragedy that occurred where Saul's shield was 'vilely cast away.'

Verse 23

David’s praise is remarkable for its magnanimity, focusing on Saul’s positive qualities and military strength while ignoring the intense conflict and sin that marked his later reign.

Verse 26

This verse is a heartfelt expression of David’s covenant love (*hesed*) for Jonathan. The phrase 'passing the love of women' emphasizes the unique loyalty, depth, and unconditional nature of their spiritual and political bond.

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