2 Samuel 1 - Meaning, Themes & Application

" 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; "

" 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. "

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

" 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. "

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

" 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. "

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

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

" 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 Samuel 1:9 shows Saul begging for death because his pain feels unbearable, even though he’s still alive. It reveals the depth of his despair …

" 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. "

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

" 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. "

" 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. "

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

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

" 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. "

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

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

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

" 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. "

" 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. "

2 Samuel 1:21 is a lament over King Saul's death, expressing grief and cursing Mount Gilboa where he fell. The verse wishes the land to …

" 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. "

" 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. "

2 Samuel 1:23 means David is honoring Saul and Jonathan as brave, loyal, and united, even in death. He remembers their courage and strength instead …

" Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. "

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

" 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. "

2 Samuel 1:26 shows David grieving deeply for his friend Jonathan. “Love…passing the love of women” highlights their loyal, sacrificial friendship, not romance. David is …

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