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
After the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag; ​
2
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. ​
3
David said to him, “Where do you come from?” He said to him, “I have escaped out of the camp of Israel.”
4
David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.”
5
David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”
6
The young man who told him said, “As I happened by chance on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning on his spear; and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.
7
When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, ‘Here I am.’
8
He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ ​
9
He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.’
10
So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.” ​

David Executes the Amalekite Messenger

11
Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with him. ​
12
They mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. ​
13
David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.”
14
David said to him, “How were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” ​
15
David called one of the young men, and said, “Go near, and fall on him.” He struck him, so that he died.
16
David said to him, “Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain the LORD’s anointed.’” ​

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

17
David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son
18
(and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar): ​
19
“Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
20
Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. ​
21
You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil. ​
22
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty.
23
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. In their death, they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions. ​
24
You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.
25
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places.
26
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. ​
27
How are the mighty 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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