BibleTools
2 Samuel 1:4
Compare all
2 on the third day, behold, it happened that aa man came from Saul’s camp bwith his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he cfell to the ground and prostrated himself.  
3 And David said to him, “Where have you come from?” So he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”
4 Then David said to him, a“How did the matter go? Please tell me.” And he answered, “The people have fled from the battle, many of the people are fallen and dead, and Saul and bJonathan his son are dead also.”  
5 So David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”
6 Then the young man who told him said, “As I happened by chance to be on aMount Gilboa, there was bSaul, leaning on his spear; and indeed the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.  
7 Now when he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’
8 And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ So I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’
9 He said to me again, ‘Please stand over me and kill me, for1 anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.’  
10 So I stood over him and akilled him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And 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.”  
11 Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and atore them, and so did all the men who were with him.  
12 And they amourned and wept and bfasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the cpeople of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.  
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< 2 Samuel 1:3   2 Samuel 1:5 >>


2 Samuel 1:1-27

This book is the history of the reign of king David. It relates his victories, the growth of the prosperity of Israel, and his reformation of the state of religion. With these events are recorded the grievous sins he committed, and the family as well as public troubles with which he was punished. We here meet with many things worthy of imitation, and many that are written for our warning. The history of king David is given in Scripture with much faithfulness, and from it he appears, to those who fairly balance his many virtues and excellent qualities against his faults, to have been a great and good man.

Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul. (1-10) The Amalekite is put to death. (11-16) David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan. (17-27)

Verses 1-10 The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.

Verses 11-16 David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.

Verses 17-27 Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.


 
<< 2 Samuel 1:3   2 Samuel 1:5 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,200+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Close
E-mail This Page