Saul's Death
2 Sam 1:1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2 Sam 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.
David, the next King of Israel had been pursued by a jealous and mad king Saul for almost fifteen years. David in despair joins with the enemy of Israel. God prevented him from joining in battle against his own countryman. While in this land, the Amalekites came, stealing away all of his and his men's wives and children and possessions. David encouraged himself in the LORD. David and his men of valor went into their camp and took back all that was taken from him. He also had spoils that he distributed to certain leaders in Israel. Saul having been given the death sentence from an encounter with a witch (Seer) of Endor, had been downcast and defeated even before he went to battle.
A man comes from the battle scene where Saul was killed, he had the appearance of a broken and humbled man. He falls on his face before David in a worshipful show of respect.
2 Sam 1:3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
2 Sam 1:4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
David always showed respect to king Saul, who he referred to as God's anointed. He was very interested in what this messenger from Saul's camp had to say. It is defeat, Saul is dead and his two son's, one of which was his beloved friend Jonathan. The heirs to the throne by blood were both dead. David was the appointed king by God's choice and the anointing of Samuel, some fifteen years before. The blood line usually determined the next king, but because Saul had been disobedient, God removed the kings inheritance and gave it to someone after his own heart, the shepherd boy David. David had proved himself faithful and mighty of God, having slain the giant Goliath and having served as a captain of thousands in Saul's army. The women would sing and dance in the streets "Saul has killed his thousands, David his ten thousands." This enraged the jealous king Saul. The removal of Saul makes the way for David to be king. Yet, David is sad at the loss of the king whom he respected and his friend Jonathan who he loved.
The Amalekite
2 Sam 1:5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
The official account of Saul's death is found in 1 Samuel 31. Saul had been badly wounded by arrows. He wanted to die before the enemy came for him.
1 Sam 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
1 Sam 31:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
1 Sam 31:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.
The young man's story many believe was mostly untrue.
2 Sam 1:6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
2 Sam 1:7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
2 Sam 1:8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
2 Sam 1:9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
2 Sam 1:10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
If his story was the truth, then God used an Amalekite to avenge Saul's disobedience. He was told to destroy the Amalekites, but he lied and disobeyed.
1 Sam 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
1 Sam 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
The young Amalekite did happen upon Saul's body and he removed the crown and bracelet. hoping to gain the favor of David by bringing these to him. He was mistaken about David. He still respected the anointing upon king Saul.
Song of the Bow
2 Sam 1:17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
In this song, David shows his loving heart towards the memory of Saul and Jonathan. He chose to hold no bitterness against Saul who persecuted him.
2 Sam 1:18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
The use of the bow was added to the armies weapons. This song or poem was written in the book of Jasher, probably a Hebrew book of poems. God still uses poetry given to those so gifted to express the love of God in our lives.
2 Sam 1:19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
Saul and Jonathan, the beauty of Israel. Perhaps this was not known in their lives, but death eulogies bring out the best things of those who are mourned.
2 Sam 1:20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
2 Sam 1:21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
The place of battle was to be a place of mourning.
2 Sam 1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
They were valiant men.
2 Sam 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
Together in life, together in death, partners swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
2 Sam 1:24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
2 Sam 1:25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
2 Sam 1:26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
This was a love greater than of women, for it was spiritual and manly, not about sex. The world cannot understand love apart from sex. David knew about God's love, he was after His own heart.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
1 Pet 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
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2 Samuel Chapters
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