2 Samuel 1
DOYLY2 Samuel 1:17
- And David lamented—over Saul and over Jonathan] This is the first specimen afforded us of David’s poetical talents: it is elegant, tender, and pathetic. Dr. Hales.
2 Samuel 1:18
- (Also he bade them teach &c.] This comes in, as a parenthesis, between the former verse and that which follows, to shew the early endeavours of David to promote the good of his people; and his care of the living, amidst his lamentations for the dead. He ordered that the children of Judah should be immediately better instructed in the use of the bow and arrow, in order more effectually to contend with the Philistines. Bp. Patrick.
— behold, it is written] That is, the fact of his having given this order for teaching the children of Judah the use of the bow, “is written in the book of Jasher;” respecting which see note at Josh. x. 13. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 1:19
- — how are the mighty fallen!] What a slaughter is made among the valiant men of the army; the flower of the nation, the choicest of its young men, lost, together with Saul and his sons! Bp. Patrick. This exclamation, with which three stanzas are marked, verse 25, 27, seems to be the simple dictate of sorrow on the several topicks of lamentation which presented themselves. It is therefore to be considered as a kind of burden to the song. David knew that the death of these mighty men, with the flower of the army, as it was matter of reproach to the nation, so would be the subject of exultation to their enemies; and, not being able to endure the thought of this, breaks out into that beautiful apostrophe, “Tell it not in Gath,” the chief city of the Philistines, &c. Dr. Delaney.
2 Samuel 1:21
- — nor fields of offerings:] Meaning fruitful fields, from which offerings might be brought to the house of God. Bp. Patrick. There seem to have been fruitful
fields about Gilboa, which, by the large increase they produced, afforded very liberally firstfruits for offerings to the Lord. Dr. Chandler.
— the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away,] Even “the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil;” that is, as if he had not been a king, but a common soldier. Bp. Patrick. The throwing away the shield was matter of the highest reproach among all nations of antiquity; and, this in the practice of so brave a prince as Saul, was an example of terrible consequence, and therefore must not go unreproved, especially in a song which soldiers were to learn. Dr. Delaney. Or it may be meant, that, after the death of Saul his shield was “vilely cast away” without any regard to the sacred character of the owner.
- — shall be counted offenders.] Shall be deemed guilty of death, for aiming at the kingdom. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 1:23
- — in their death they were not divided:] This is said in the true spirit of friendship, and in one of its finest distresses; he congratulates Saul and Jonathan on that happy circumstance of their friendship, that they were undivided in death. Dr. Delaney.
2 Samuel 1:26
- But me, even me thy servant, — hath he not called.] Nathan’s meaning is, that Adonijah had not acquainted him, Zadok, &c. with his purpose, taken them into his counsels, nor asked their consent, in order that they might not have an opportunity of frustrating his measures. Dr. Chandler.
2 Samuel 1:27
- — the weapons of war perished!] All military glory is gone from Israel. Bp. Patrick. Or, the weapons and armour of the slain are taken away by the Philistines in triumph. Dr. Wells.
Let any man but read over this admirable ode of David, than which there is nothing more elegant and passionate in all antiquity, and he will find in it all the marks of a generous grief, and the utmost decency and propriety in the expression of it. In the encomiums passed respectively on Saul and Jonathan, there is nothing but what became the character of both, and suited the situation of him that gave them. He celebrates Saul for his former victories, and sheds a tear over him for his defeat, and the indignities offered to him after his death; but without a single reflection on his past injustice and cruelty towards himself. And as to Jonathan his friend, the sorrow he expresses for him is most tender and pathetic. The lamentation over the slain heroes of Israel in the beginning, and several times repeated; the manner in which he expresses his grief at the thought of the defeat’s being published among the
- Is this thing done by my lord the king, &c.] Is this feast of Adonijah, his proclaiming himself king, and his assumption of the royal authority, done by the king’s consent and order? Dr. Chandler. 33. — cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule.] Maimonides tells us, that it was a capital crime to