Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 2 Samuel » Chapter 1 » Verse 1-27

2 Samuel 1:1-27 King James Version (KJV)

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 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.

3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

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.

5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

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.

7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

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.

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.

11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

12 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.

13 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.

14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?

15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

16 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.

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

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.

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!


2 Samuel 1:1-27 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Now it came to pass after H310 the death H4194 of Saul, H7586 when David H1732 was returned H7725 from the slaughter H5221 of the Amalekites, H6002 and David H1732 had abode H3427 two H8147 days H3117 in Ziklag; H6860

2 It came even to pass on the third H7992 day, H3117 that, behold, a man H376 came H935 out of the camp H4264 from Saul H7586 with his clothes H899 rent, H7167 and earth H127 upon his head: H7218 and so it was, when he came H935 to David, H1732 that he fell H5307 to the earth, H776 and did obeisance. H7812

3 And David H1732 said H559 unto him, From whence comest H935 thou? And he said H559 unto him, Out of the camp H4264 of Israel H3478 am I escaped. H4422

4 And David H1732 said H559 unto him, How H4100 went the matter? H1697 I pray thee, tell H5046 me. And he answered, H559 That the people H5971 are fled H5127 from the battle, H4421 and many H7235 of the people H5971 also are fallen H5307 and dead; H4191 and Saul H7586 and Jonathan H3083 his son H1121 are dead H4191 also.

5 And David H1732 said H559 unto the young man H5288 that told H5046 him, How knowest H3045 thou that Saul H7586 and Jonathan H3083 his son H1121 be dead? H4191

6 And the young man H5288 that told H5046 him said, H559 As I happened H7136 by chance H7122 upon mount H2022 Gilboa, H1533 behold, Saul H7586 leaned H8172 upon his spear; H2595 and, lo, the chariots H7393 and horsemen H1167 H6571 followed hard H1692 after him.

7 And when he looked H6437 behind H310 him, he saw H7200 me, and called H7121 unto me. And I answered, H559 Here am I.

8 And he said H559 unto me, Who art thou? And I answered H559 him, I am an Amalekite. H6003

9 He said H559 unto me again, Stand, H5975 I pray thee, upon me, and slay H4191 me: for anguish H7661 is come H270 upon me, because my life H5315 is yet whole in me.

10 So I stood H5975 upon him, and slew H4191 him, because I was sure H3045 that he could not live H2421 after H310 that he was fallen: H5307 and I took H3947 the crown H5145 that was upon his head, H7218 and the bracelet H685 that was on his arm, H2220 and have brought H935 them hither unto my lord. H113

11 Then David H1732 took hold H2388 on his clothes, H899 and rent H7167 them; and likewise all the men H582 that were with him:

12 And they mourned, H5594 and wept, H1058 and fasted H6684 until even, H6153 for Saul, H7586 and for Jonathan H3083 his son, H1121 and for the people H5971 of the LORD, H3068 and for the house H1004 of Israel; H3478 because they were fallen H5307 by the sword. H2719

13 And David H1732 said H559 unto the young man H5288 that told H5046 him, Whence art thou? And he answered, H559 I am the son H1121 of a stranger, H376 H1616 an Amalekite. H6003

14 And David H1732 said H559 unto him, How wast thou not afraid H3372 to stretch forth H7971 thine hand H3027 to destroy H7843 the LORD'S H3068 anointed? H4899

15 And David H1732 called H7121 one H259 of the young men, H5288 and said, H559 Go near, H5066 and fall H6293 upon him. And he smote H5221 him that he died. H4191

16 And David H1732 said H559 unto him, Thy blood H1818 be upon thy head; H7218 for thy mouth H6310 hath testified H6030 against thee, saying, H559 I have slain H4191 the LORD'S H3068 anointed. H4899

17 And David H1732 lamented H6969 with this lamentation H7015 over Saul H7586 and over Jonathan H3083 his son: H1121

18 (Also he bade H559 them teach H3925 the children H1121 of Judah H3063 the use of the bow: H7198 behold, it is written H3789 in the book H5612 of Jasher.) H3477

19 The beauty H6643 of Israel H3478 is slain H2491 upon thy high places: H1116 how are the mighty H1368 fallen! H5307

20 Tell H5046 it not in Gath, H1661 publish H1319 it not in the streets H2351 of Askelon; H831 lest the daughters H1323 of the Philistines H6430 rejoice, H8055 lest the daughters H1323 of the uncircumcised H6189 triumph. H5937

21 Ye mountains H2022 of Gilboa, H1533 let there be no dew, H2919 neither let there be rain, H4306 upon you, nor fields H7704 of offerings: H8641 for there the shield H4043 of the mighty H1368 is vilely cast away, H1602 the shield H4043 of Saul, H7586 as though he had not been anointed H4899 with oil. H8081

22 From the blood H1818 of the slain, H2491 from the fat H2459 of the mighty, H1368 the bow H7198 of Jonathan H3083 turned H7734 not back, H268 and the sword H2719 of Saul H7586 returned H7725 not empty. H7387

23 Saul H7586 and Jonathan H3083 were lovely H157 and pleasant H5273 in their lives, H2416 and in their death H4194 they were not divided: H6504 they were swifter H7043 than eagles, H5404 they were stronger H1396 than lions. H738

24 Ye daughters H1323 of Israel, H3478 weep over H1058 Saul, H7586 who clothed H3847 you in scarlet, H8144 with other delights, H5730 who put H5927 on ornaments H5716 of gold H2091 upon your apparel. H3830

25 How are the mighty H1368 fallen H5307 in the midst H8432 of the battle! H4421 O Jonathan, H3083 thou wast slain H2491 in thine high places. H1116

26 I am distressed H6887 for thee, my brother H251 Jonathan: H3083 very H3966 pleasant H5276 hast thou been unto me: thy love H160 to me was wonderful, H6381 passing the love H160 of women. H802

27 How are the mighty H1368 fallen, H5307 and the weapons H3627 of war H4421 perished! H6


2 Samuel 1:1-27 American Standard (ASV)

1 And 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 it came 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.

3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, 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.

5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?

6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.

7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9 And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me; for anguish hath taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10 So I stood beside 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.

11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

12 and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.

14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah's anointed?

15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him, so that he died.

16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed.

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18 (and he bade them teach the children of Judah `the song of' the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

19 Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!

20 Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

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.

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.

24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.

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.

27 How are the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!


2 Samuel 1:1-27 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And it cometh to pass, after the death of Saul, that David hath returned from smiting the Amalekite, and David dwelleth in Ziklag two days,

2 and it cometh to pass, on the third day, that lo, a man hath come in out of the camp from Saul, and his garments `are' rent, and earth on his head; and it cometh to pass, in his coming in unto David, that he falleth to the earth, and doth obeisance.

3 And David saith to him, `Whence comest thou?' and he saith unto him, `Out of the camp of Israel I have escaped.'

4 And David saith unto him, `What hath been the matter? declare, I pray thee, to me.' And he saith, that `The people hath fled from the battle, and also a multitude hath fallen of the people, and they die; and also Saul and Jonathan his son have died.'

5 And David saith unto the youth who is declaring `it' to him, `How hast thou known that Saul and Jonathan his son `are' dead?'

6 And the youth who is declaring `it' to him saith, I happened to meet in mount Gilboa, and lo, Saul is leaning on his spear; and lo, the chariots and those possessing horses have followed him;

7 and he turneth behind him, and seeth me, and calleth unto me, and I say, Here `am' I.

8 And he saith to me, Who `art' thou? and I say unto him, An Amalekite I `am'.'

9 `And he saith unto me, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and put me to death, for seized me hath the arrow, for all my soul `is' still in me.

10 And I stand over him, and put him to death, for I knew that he doth not live after his falling, and I take the crown which `is' on his head, and the bracelet which `is' on his arm, and bring them in unto my lord hither.'

11 And David taketh hold on his garments, and rendeth them, and also all the men who `are' with him,

12 and they mourn, and weep, and fast till the evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel, because they have fallen by the sword.

13 And David saith unto the youth who is declaring `it' to him, `Whence `art' thou?' and he saith, `Son of a sojourner, an Amalekite, I `am'.'

14 And David saith unto him, `How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy the anointed of Jehovah?'

15 And David calleth to one of the youths, and saith, `Draw nigh -- fall upon him;' and he smiteth him, and he dieth;

16 and David saith unto him, `Thy blood `is' on thine own head, for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I -- I put to death the anointed of Jehovah.'

17 And David lamenteth with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son;

18 and he saith to teach the sons of Judah `The Bow;' lo, it is written on the book of the Upright: --

19 `The Roebuck, O Israel, On thy high places `is' wounded; How have the mighty fallen!

20 Declare `it' not in Gath, Proclaim not the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon, Lest they rejoice -- The daughters of the Philistines, Lest they exult -- The daughters of the Uncircumcised!

21 Mountains of Gilboa! No dew nor rain be on you, And fields of heave-offerings! For there hath become loathsome The shield of the mighty, The shield of Saul -- without the anointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Hath not turned backward; And the sword of Saul doth not return empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan! They are loved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they have not been parted. Than eagles they have been lighter, Than lions they have been mightier!

24 Daughters of Israel! for Saul weep ye, Who is clothing you `in' scarlet with delights. Who is lifting up ornaments of gold on your clothing.

25 How have the mighty fallen In the midst of the battle! Jonathan! on thy high places wounded!

26 I am in distress for thee, my brother Jonathan, Very pleasant wast thou to me; Wonderful was thy love to me, Above the love of women!

27 How have the mighty fallen, Yea, the weapons of war perish!'


2 Samuel 1:1-27 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David abode two days in Ziklag.

2 And it came to pass on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his garments rent, and earth upon his head; and as soon as he came to David, he fell to the earth and did obeisance.

3 And David said to him, Whence comest thou? And he said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4 And David said to him, What has taken place? I pray thee, tell me. And he said that the people had fled from the battle, and many of the people also had fallen and died, and that Saul and Jonathan his son were dead also.

5 And David said to the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?

6 And the young man that told him said, I happened by chance to be upon mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul leaned on his spear; and behold, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

7 And he looked behind him, and saw me, and called to me. And I said, Here am I.

8 And he said to me, Who art thou? And I said to him, I am an Amalekite.

9 He said to me again, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and slay me; for anguish has seized me; for my life is yet whole in me.

10 So I stood over him, and put him to death, for I knew that he would not live after his fall; and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither to my lord.

11 Then David took hold of his garments and rent them; and all the men that were with him [did] likewise.

12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13 And David said to the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he said, I am the son of an Amalekite stranger.

14 And David said to him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah's anointed?

15 Then David called one of the young men and said, Draw near, [and] fall on him. And he smote him that he died.

16 And David said to him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth has testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed.

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son;

18 and he bade them teach the children of Judah [the song of] the bow. Behold, it is written in the book of Jasher: --

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

20 Tell [it] not in Gath, carry not the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, no rain upon you, nor fields of heave-offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, [as] not anointed with oil.

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.

23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their lives, Even in their death were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with splendour, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.

26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant wast thou unto me; Thy love to me was wonderful, passing women's love.

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the instruments of war perished!


2 Samuel 1:1-27 World English Bible (WEB)

1 It happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

2 it happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

3 David said to him, From whence come you? He said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4 David said to him, How went the matter? Please tell me. He answered, 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.

5 David said to the young man who told him, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?

6 The young man who told him said, As I happened by chance on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning on his spear; and, behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.

7 When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, Here am I.

8 He said to me, Who are you? I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9 He said to me, Stand, I pray you, beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10 So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was 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 Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with him:

12 and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13 David said to the young man who told him, Whence are you? He answered, I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.

14 David said to him, How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy Yahweh's anointed?

15 David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall on him. He struck him, so that he died.

16 David said to him, Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain Yahweh's anointed.

17 David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son

18 (and he bade them teach the children of Judah [the song of] the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

19 Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How are the mighty fallen!

20 Don't tell it in Gath, Don't publish it in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21 You mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan didn't turn back, The sword of Saul didn't return empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, In their death they were not divided: They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.

24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places.

26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant have you been to me: Your love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women.

27 How are the mighty fallen, The weapons of war perished!


2 Samuel 1:1-27 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Now after the death of Saul, when David, having come back from the destruction of the Amalekites, had been in Ziklag for two days;

2 On the third day a man came from Saul's tents, with his clothing out of order and earth on his head: and when he came to David, he went down on the earth and gave him honour.

3 And David said to him, Where have you come from? And he said, I have come in flight from the tents of Israel.

4 And David said to him, How did things go? Give me the news. And in answer he said, The people have gone in flight from the fight, and a great number of them are dead; and Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.

5 And David said to the young man who gave him the news, Why are you certain that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?

6 And the young man said, I came by chance to Mount Gilboa, and I saw Saul supporting himself on his spear; and the war-carriages and horsemen overtook him.

7 And looking back, he saw me and gave a cry to me. And answering him I said, Here am I.

8 And he said to me, Who are you? And I said, I am an Amalekite.

9 Then he said to me, Come here to my side, and put me to death, for the pain of death has me in its grip but my life is still strong in me.

10 So I put my foot on him and gave him his death-blow, because I was certain that he would not go on living after his fall: and I took the crown from his head and the band from his arm, and I have them here for my lord.

11 Then David gave way to bitter grief, and so did all the men who were with him:

12 And till evening they gave themselves to sorrow and weeping, and took no food, weeping for Saul and for Jonathan, his son, and for the people of the Lord and for the men of Israel; because they had come to their end by the sword.

13 And David said to the young man who had given him the news, Where do you come from? And he said, I am the son of a man from a strange land; I am an Amalekite.

14 And David said to him, Had you no fear of stretching out your hand to put to death the one marked with the holy oil?

15 And David sent for one of his young men and said, Go near and put an end to him. And he put him to death.

16 And David said to him, May your blood be on your head; for your mouth has given witness against you, saying, I have put to death the man marked with the holy oil.

17 Then David made this song of grief for Saul and Jonathan, his son:

18 (It is recorded in the book of Jashar for teaching to the sons of Judah) and he said:

19 The glory, O Israel, is dead on your high places! How have the great ones been made low!

20 Give no news of it in Gath, let it not be said in the streets of Ashkelon; or the daughters of the Philistines will be glad, the daughters of men without circumcision will be uplifted in joy.

21 O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you, you fields of death: for there the arms of the strong have been shamed, the arms of Saul, as if he had not been marked with the holy oil.

22 From the blood of the dead, from the fat of the strong, the bow of Jonathan was not turned back, the sword of Saul did not come back unused.

23 Saul and Jonathan were loved and pleasing; in their lives and in their death they were not parted; they went more quickly than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 O daughters of Israel, have sorrow for Saul, by whom you were delicately clothed in robes of red, with ornaments of gold on your dresses.

25 How have the great ones been made low in the fight! Jonathan is dead on your high places.

26 I am full of grief for you, my brother Jonathan: very dear have you been to me: your love for me was a wonder, greater than the love of women.

27 How have the great ones been made low, and the arms of war broken!

Commentary on 2 Samuel 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 1

2Sa 1:1-16. An Amalekite Brings Tidings of Saul's Death.

1. 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.

2-12. a man came out of the camp from Saul—As the narrative of Saul's death, given in the last chapter, is inspired, it must be considered the true account, and the Amalekite's story a fiction of his own, invented to ingratiate himself with David, the presumptive successor to the throne. David's question, "How went the matter?" evinces the deep interest he took in the war, an interest that sprang from feelings of high and generous patriotism, not from views of ambition. The Amalekite, however, judging him to be actuated by a selfish principle, fabricated a story improbable and inconsistent, which he thought would procure him a reward. Having probably witnessed the suicidal act of Saul, he thought of turning it to his own account, and suffered the penalty of his grievously mistaken calculation (compare 2Sa 1:9 with 1Sa 31:4, 5).

10. the crown—a small metallic cap or wreath, which encircled the temples, serving the purpose of a helmet, with a very small horn projecting in front, as the emblem of power.

the bracelet that was on his arm—the armlet worn above the elbow; an ancient mark of royal dignity. It is still worn by kings in some Eastern countries.

13-15. David said unto the young man … Whence art thou?—The man had at the outset stated who he was. But the question was now formally and judicially put. The punishment inflicted on the Amalekite may seem too severe, but the respect paid to kings in the West must not be regarded as the standard for that which the East may think due to royal station. David's reverence for Saul, as the Lord's anointed, was in his mind a principle on which he had faithfully acted on several occasions of great temptation. In present circumstances it was especially important that his principle should be publicly known; and to free himself from the imputation of being in any way accessory to the execrable crime of regicide was the part of a righteous judge, no less than of a good politician.

2Sa 1:17-27. David Laments Saul and Jonathan.

17, 18. David lamented with this lamentation—It has always been customary for Eastern people, on the death of great kings and warriors, to celebrate their qualities and deeds in funeral songs. This inimitable pathetic elegy is supposed by many writers to have become a national war song, and to have been taught to the young Israelites under the name of "The Bow," in conformity with the practice of Hebrew and many classical writers in giving titles to their songs from the principal theme (Ps 22:1; 56:1; 60:1; 80:1; 100:1). Although the words "the use of" are a supplement by our translators, they may be rightly introduced, for the natural sense of this parenthetical verse is, that David took immediate measures for instructing the people in the knowledge and practice of archery, their great inferiority to the enemy in this military arm having been the main cause of the late national disaster.

19. The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places—literally, "the gazelle" or "antelope of Israel." In Eastern countries, that animal is the chosen type of beauty and symmetrical elegance of form.

how are the mighty fallen!—This forms the chorus.

21. let there be no dew, neither let there be rain—To be deprived of the genial atmospheric influences which, in those anciently cultivated hills, seem to have reared plenty of first-fruits in the corn harvests, was specified as the greatest calamity the lacerated feelings of the poet could imagine. The curse seems still to lie upon them; for the mountains of Gilboa are naked and sterile.

the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away—To cast away the shield was counted a national disgrace. Yet, on that fatal battle of Gilboa, many of the Jewish soldiers, who had displayed unflinching valor in former battles, forgetful of their own reputation and their country's honor, threw away their shields and fled from the field. This dishonorable and cowardly conduct is alluded to with exquisitely touching pathos.

24-27. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, &c.—The fondness for dress, which anciently distinguished Oriental women, is their characteristic still. It appears in their love of bright, gay, and divers colors, in profuse display of ornaments, and in various other forms. The inmost depths of the poet's feeling are stirred, and his amiable disposition appears in the strong desire to celebrate the good qualities of Saul, as well as Jonathan. But the praises of the latter form the burden of the poem, which begins and ends with that excellent prince.