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;
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2 Samuel 1
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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.
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And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
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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.
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And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, 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.
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And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
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And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
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And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
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And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed.
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(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
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How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
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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.
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Chapter Study & Analysis
Overview
2 Samuel 1 records David’s reaction to the death of Saul and Jonathan. An Amalekite claims to have killed Saul, hoping for a reward, but David executes him for slaying the Lord’s anointed. David then composes "The Song of the Bow," a beautiful lament for his fallen king and friend.
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. Genuineness Over Grudges: David mourned the man who tried to kill him (v. 17). True godliness allows us to weep for the tragedies of our enemies rather than celebrating their downfall.2. Respect for God’s Order: David’s judgment on the Amalekite shows that we must never use someone else’s failure as a shortcut to our own promotion (v. 14-16).
3. Honoring the Good in Others: David focused on Saul’s military bravery and Jonathan’s love rather than their faults in his eulogy. We should strive to remember and highlight the virtues of those who pass before us.
Practical Lessons
FORMAL PRAYER
Lord, grant us a heart like David’s, free from bitterness and malice. Help us to honor Thy sovereign appointments and to speak well of others, even those who have opposed us. Amen.