2 Samuel 1 Summary: Meaning, Themes & Reflection

1. 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, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the earth and showed respect. 3. David said to him, "Where do you come from?" 4. David said to him, "How did it go? Please tell me." 5. David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know 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 close behind him. 7. When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. I answered, "Here I am." 8. He said to me, "Who are you?" I answered him, "I am an Amalekite." 9. He said to me, "Please stand beside me, and kill me, for anguish has taken hold of me because my life lingers in me." 10. So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. 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 all the men who were with him did likewise. 12. They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13. David said to the young man who told him, "Where are you from?" 14. David said to him, "Why were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy Yahweh"s anointed?" 15. David called one of the young men and said, "Go near, and cut him down!" 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 commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar): 19. "Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places! 20. Don"t tell it in Gath. 21. You mountains of Gilboa, 22. From the blood of the slain, 23. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. 24. You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, 25. How the mighty have fallen in the middle of the battle! 26. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. 27. How the mighty have fallen,