2 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1 describes the aftermath of Saul's death and David's response to the news. An Amalekite delivers the news of Saul's demise to David, expecting a reward, but David mourns deeply for Saul and Jonathan. David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan reflects his loyalty and sorrow for their loss, even though Saul had pursued him. The chapter ends with David executing the messenger and composing a heartfelt lament.

2 Samuel 1:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass 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, it happened that a man came from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he fell 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, “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 Jonathan 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?”

David had just returned from defeating the Amalekites and was staying in Ziklag when a man arrived from Saul’s camp with clear signs of mourning—torn clothes and dust on his head. He brought grave news of the battle, revealing that Saul and Jonathan had died. David’s immediate reaction was to inquire further, reflecting his concern for the king and Jonathan. Though Saul had pursued him, David’s question shows his respect and loyalty to Saul and his beloved friend, Jonathan.

2 Samuel 1:6-10 (NKJV)
6 Then the young man who told him said, “As I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa, there was Saul, 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, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.’
10 So I stood over him and killed 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.”

The Amalekite recounts how he found Saul gravely wounded on Mount Gilboa, leaning on his spear, unable to escape his enemies. According to the man, Saul asked him to end his life to spare him the agony. The Amalekite claimed to have complied, taking Saul’s crown and bracelet as proof and bringing them to David, likely expecting a reward for delivering this news and royal items. However, the story appears suspicious, as it conflicts with the account of Saul’s death in 1 Samuel 31, where Saul falls on his own sword.

2 Samuel 1:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.
12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

David and his men reacted with intense grief, tearing their clothes in sorrow. Despite the fact that Saul had been his enemy, David mourned not only for Saul but also for Jonathan and the entire nation of Israel. This act of mourning reflects David’s deep respect for Saul’s position as the Lord’s anointed and his genuine affection for Jonathan, who had been his closest friend. Their grief also extends to the broader tragedy that had befallen Israel in battle.

2 Samuel 1:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Then David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.”
14 So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”
15 Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died.
16 So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’”

When David questioned the Amalekite about his background, the man revealed he was a foreigner living among Israel. David then condemned him for daring to kill Saul, the Lord’s anointed king. Although the Amalekite expected praise or reward, David’s sense of righteousness led him to execute the man for his claimed action. David held that no one had the right to kill God’s appointed leader, even if the leader requested it, and thus the Amalekite's own words sealed his fate.

2 Samuel 1:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son,
18 and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher:

David composed a lament for Saul and Jonathan, known as the Song of the Bow, and instructed it to be taught to the people of Judah. The lament was a poetic tribute, expressing David’s deep sorrow and respect for both Saul and Jonathan. It was significant enough to be recorded in the Book of Jasher, an ancient collection of heroic songs. The fact that David honored Saul, despite their troubled history, speaks to his integrity and reverence for God’s chosen leaders.

2 Samuel 1:19-21 (NKJV)
19 “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon—lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain upon you, nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.”

David begins his lament by grieving the loss of Saul and Jonathan, calling them the "beauty of Israel" and lamenting how the mighty have fallen. He urges that the news not be spread among the Philistines, particularly in their cities like Gath and Ashkelon, to prevent their enemies from rejoicing. He then curses the mountains of Gilboa, where Saul died, asking that they receive no blessings, as Saul’s death marked a tragic loss for Israel, symbolized by the casting away of his shield.

2 Samuel 1:22-23 (NKJV)
22 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.”

David highlights the valor of both Saul and Jonathan, praising their military prowess. He remembers Jonathan’s bow and Saul’s sword as symbols of their strength and success in battle. Despite the conflicts between David and Saul, David speaks of Saul’s life with admiration, reflecting on both Saul and Jonathan as beloved and courageous figures. David emphasizes that even in death, they remained united, acknowledging their powerful legacy as warriors and leaders in Israel.

2 Samuel 1:24-27 (NKJV)
24 “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was slain in 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, surpassing the love of women.
27 How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

David calls on the women of Israel to mourn for Saul, who had brought them prosperity and adorned them with riches. He then turns to Jonathan, expressing his deep personal grief. David’s love for Jonathan was unique and profound, surpassing any other human relationship in his life. The repeated phrase “How the mighty have fallen” captures the tragedy of both men’s deaths, marking the end of an era of Israel’s leadership, with the "weapons of war" symbolizing their loss.