II Samuel 1
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Commentaries
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An Amalekite comes to David, and informs him that the Philistines had routed the Israelites; and that Saul and his sons were slain, Sa2 1:1-4. And pretends that he himself had despatched Saul, finding him ready to fall alive into the hands of the Philistines, and had brought his crown and bracelets to David, Sa2 1:5-10. David and his men mourn for Saul and his sons, Sa2 1:11, Sa2 1:12. He orders the Amalekite, who professed that he had killed Saul, to be slain, Sa2 1:13-16. David's funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, Sa2 1:17-27.
Open source ↗AN AMALEKITE BRINGS TIDINGS OF SAUL'S DEATH. (2Sa. 1:1-16) David had abode two days in Ziklag--Though greatly reduced by the Amalekite incendiaries, that town was not so completely sacked and destroyed, but David and his six hundred followers, with their families, could still find some accommodation.
Open source ↗Now it came to pass after the death of Saul,.... The third day after, as appears from the next verse: when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites; as related in Sa1 30:17, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; which, though fired by the Amalekites, was not utterly consumed, but there was still some convenience for the lodging of David and his men; within this time he sent his presents to several places in the tribe of Judah, of which mention is made in the chapter before quoted, and at the same time it was that so many mighty men came to him from several tribes spoken of in Ch1 12:1.
Open source ↗David receives the news of Saul's death. - Sa2 1:1-4. After the death of Saul, and David's return to Ziklag from his campaign against the Amalekites, there came a man to David on the third day, with his clothes torn and earth strewed upon his head (as a sign of deep mourning: see at Sa1 4:12), who informed him of the flight and overthrow of the Israelitish army, and the death of Saul and Jonathan. Sa2 1:1-3 Sa2 1:1 may be regarded as the protasis to Sa2 1:2, so far as the contents are concerned, although formally it is rounded off, and ויּשׁב forms the apodosis to ויהי: "It came to pass after the death of Saul, David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:1-26), that David remained at Ziklag two days. And it came to pass on the third day," etc. Both of these notices of the time refer to the day, on which David returned to Ziklag from the pursuit and defeat of the Amalekites. Whether the battle at Gilboa, in which Saul fell, occurred before or after the return of David, it is impossible to determine. All that follows from the juxtaposition of the two events in Sa2 1:1, is that they were nearly contemporaneous. The man "came from the army from with Saul," and therefore appears to have kept near to Saul during the battle. Sa2 1:4 David's inquiry, "How did the thing happen?" refers to the statement made by the messenger, that he had escaped from the army of Israel. In the answer, אשׁר serves, like כּי in other passages, merely to introduce the words that follow, like our namely (vid., Ewald, 338, b.). "The people fled from the fight; and not only have many of the people fallen, but Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead." וגם ... וגם: not only ... but also. Sa2 1:5-10 To David's further inquiry how he knew this, the young man replied (Sa2 1:6-10), "…
Open source ↗Here is, I. David settling again in Ziklag, his own city, after he had rescued his family and friends out of the hands of the Amalekites (Sa2 1:1): He abode in Ziklag. Thence he was now sending presents to his friends (Sa1 30:26), and there he was ready to receive those that came into his interests; not men in distress and debt, as his first followers were, but persons of quality in their country, mighty men, men of war, and captains of thousands (as we find, Ch1 12:1, Ch1 12:8, Ch1 12:20); such came day by day to him, God stirring up their hearts to do so, till he had a great host, like the host of God, as it is said, Ch1 12:22. The secret springs of revolutions are unaccountable, and must be resolved into that Providence which turns all hearts as the rivers of water. II. Intelligence brought him thither of the death of Saul. It was strange that he did not leave some spies about the camp, to bring him early notice of the issue of the engagement, a sign that he desired not Saul's woeful day, nor was impatient to come to the throne, but willing to wait till those tidings were brought to him which many a one would have sent more than half-way to meet. He that believes does not make haste, takes good news when it comes and is not uneasy while it is in the coming. 1. The messenger presents himself to David as an express, in the posture of a mourner for the deceased prince and a subject to the succeeding one. He came with his clothes rent, and made obeisance to David (Sa2 1:2), pleasing himself with the fancy that he had the honour to be the first that did him homage as his sovereign, but it proved he was the first that received from him sentence of death as his judge. He told David he came from the camp of Israel, and intimated the bad posture it was in when he said he had…
Open source ↗1:1-27 The forty years of Saul’s reign came to a painful end. The Philistines inflicted a crushing blow on Saul’s people, killing his sons and dismembering Saul’s body after his suicide (1 Sam 31). On the heels of these tragedies, David’s career as leader came into focus. 1:1-16 An unnamed Amalekite sought out David, claiming to have killed Saul. This was a lie, as Saul had committed suicide (1 Sam 31:4-6). The Amalekite might have hoped that David would reward him for making it possible for David to assume the throne. Instead, David ordered him killed for harming the Lord’s anointed. 1:1 David returned from his victory: Just prior to this encounter, David and his men had killed many Amalekites because of what they had done to David’s city and family (see 1 Sam 30).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) עֲמָלֵק (ʻĂmâlêq, H6002) — Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צִקְלַג (Tsiqlag, H6860) — Tsiklag or Tsikelag, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מָלַט (mâlaṭ, H4422) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness);…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָה (mâh, H4100) — properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what!… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יְהוֹנָתָן (Yᵉhôwnâthân, H3083) — Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יְהוֹנָתָן (Yᵉhôwnâthân, H3083) — Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קָרָה (qârâh, H7136) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7122) — to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) גִּלְבֹּעַ (Gilbôaʻ, H1533) — Gilboa, a mountain of Palestine שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שָׁעַן (shâʻan, H8172) — to support one's self חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by… דָּבַק (dâbaq, H1692) — properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
Open source ↗פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֲמָלֵקִי (ʻĂmâlêqîy, H6003) — an Amalekite (or collectively the Amalekites) or descendants of Amalek
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill שָׁבָץ (shâbâts, H7661) — entanglement, i.e. (figuratively) perplexity אָחַז (ʼâchaz, H270) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) נֶזֶר (nezer, H5145) — properly, something set apart, i.e. (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or Nazirite);… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אֶצְעָדָה (ʼetsʻâdâh, H685) — properly, a step-chain; by analogy, a bracelet זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively)
Open source ↗סָפַד (çâphad, H5594) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to… בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan צוּם (tsûwm, H6684) — to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יְהוֹנָתָן (Yᵉhôwnâthân, H3083) — Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner עֲמָלֵקִי (ʻĂmâlêqîy, H6003) — an Amalekite (or collectively the Amalekites) or descendants of Amalek
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָשִׁיחַ (mâshîyach, H4899) — anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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