2 Samuel 1

David being Ziklag, receiveth tiding of Saul and Jonathans death, vers.1,&c. For which he had and those that were with mourn, he causeth the messenger, that bragged he killed Saul, to be put to death,13. David’s lamentation for Saul and Jonathan, 17.

1. Moreover, it came to passé after Sauls death, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, [Heb. from smiting Amalek. See the history, 1 Sam.30.] and David had tarried two days at Ziklag: [See 1 Sam.27.6.]

2. Then it came to passé on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the host, from Saul, whose clothes went rent, [In token of mourning, and grief of heart. See Genes.37.on vers.29.] and earth was upon his head: [Compare Jos.7.6. 1 Sam.4.12. and below chap.13.19. and 15.32. Job 2:12. Thus was in mourning a token of shame, unworthiness, and deep humiliation] and it came to pass, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and bowed himself down.

3. And David said unto him; Whence comest thou? and he said unto him; I am escaped out of the Host of Israel.

4. Moreover, David said unto him; What is the matter? [Or, properly what was the matter, or the business?] relate it to me, I pray thee: and he said, That the people were fled out of the battle, and that there were also many of the people fallen and dead, that also Saul, and his son Jonathan were dead.

5. And David said unto the lad [i.e. youth, young man. See Genes.22.on vers.5.] that brought him the tidings: bow knowest thou that Saul is dead, and his son Jonathan?

6. Then said the young man, that brought him the tidings; I came by chance [Heb. meeting I met, or, coming by chance I came by chance] upon the mountain of Gilead; [Lying in Issaschar, on the South-borders. See 1 sam.20.1. and 31.1.] and behold, Saul leaned upon his spear: [i.e. thrusted to make the head of his spear to pierce thorow his body] and behold the charets, and the Captains [Heb. the masters, or, lords of the Horseman] held close upon him. [Heb. clave, or, stuk close to him.]

7. Then he looked behind him, and saw me: and he called me, and I said, Behold, (here) am I.

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

9. Then he said unto me; stand, I pray thee, by me, [Or, against me, upon me: or, stand up against me: so v.10.] and slay me, for this coat of mail [Or, eyed, or, embroidered military coat. The Hebrew word is thus only found in this place, and cometh from a word, which signfieth embroidering, or making work full of eyes, also compassing about, inlaying of precious stone in ouches eases, or, scutcheons. Therefore some translate it, this compassing about, bemming in, straitening (of the Horsemen) also terror, anguish, hath caught hold of me] hath kept me up, [That the spear could not pierce thorow into my body] for my life yet whole in me. [As if he should say, I have strongly endeavoured to take away my life with my spear, but it would not be, my life is yet whole in me]

10. So I stood by him, and slew him, for I knew that he would not live after his fall: [After he was fallen upon his spear, and by means thereof was fallen down. This he addeth to excuse himself of being the cause of Sauls death, and to confirm, and put out of doubt the tidings which he brought. The Reader may compare this whole relation with 1 Sam.31. and judge of the matter] and I took the Crown that was upon his head, and the Bracelet that was upon his arm, and have brought them hither unto my Lord. [viz. David: i.e. unto thee. The Reader may compare this whole relation with 1 Sam.31. and judge what truth there is in the thing.]

11. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them [As above vers.2.] likewise also all the men that were with him.

12. And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until the evening, 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. Moreover, David said unto the Lad, that had brought him the tidings; whence art thou? and he said; 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 [i.e. to slay, smite down, kill. Compare Judge.20.on vers.21, 25, 35, 42. and elsewhere] the LORDS anointed? [See 1 Sam.10.1. and 1 Kings 1:24.]

15. And David called one of the Lads [His servants, or, courtiers] and said; Go near, fall upon him: and he smote him, that he died.

16. And David said unto him; Thy blood be upon thine head: [See Judg.9.on vers.24. and Levit.20.on v.9.] for thy mouth hath witnessed against thee, saying: I have killed the LORDS anointed.

17. Now David’s lamented (with) this lamentation, [which beginneth, ver.19.] over Saul, and over Jonathan his son;

18. When he had said, [i.e. commanded, given order] that they should teach the Children of Juda [From which tribe David himself was descended, and who had the promise of God concerning the Kingdom, and valour in war, Genes.49.8, 9, 10.] the bowe: [To wit, the use or handling of the bow, to grow experienced archers and souldiers, after the example of Saul and Jonathan. See vers.22. This David did in the first place to raise up the people of God after the death of their King, and to encourage them that they might not be daunted by his following lamentation] behold, it is written in the book of the upright. [Of this book, see Jos.10.on v.13. This may be understood thus, that in this book was written, what order David had given concerning them, so as to make the use and exercise of arms a thing common to his tribe.]

19. Ornament of Israel, [Thus he calleth God, from whom all Israels glory and ornament descended. Compare Deut.4.7, 8. and 33.29. Others apply it to Saul, or the Land of promise] he is smitten upon thy high places: [viz. Upon the mountains of Gilboa (vers.21. and 1 Sam.31.8.) which he calleth Gods high places, because they specially pertained to God, as lying in Israel] how are the champions fallen?

20. Relate it not at Gath, publish it not the streets of Askelon: [Gath and Askelon were both inhabited by the Philistines, lying in the South west of the mountains of Gilboa by the Sea, Gath in Dan, and Askelon in Simeon. See Judg.14.on vers.19. and below chap.21.20, 22.] lest the Daughters of the Philistines rejoice, [blasp eming and mocking God and his people: as Judg.16.23, etc.] lest the Daughters of the uncircumcised [See judg.15.on vers.18.] leap up for joy. [By outward gestures and token of joy ascribing the praise of this victory unto their Gods]

21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let neither dew, nor rain be upon you, nor fields of heave-offerings: [i.e. let there be no fruitful fields upon these mountains, whereof heave-offerings might be made. Or, upon the heaved, or, lifted up fields, high fields. Heb. fields of heavings, or, liftings up. This serveth to move and stir up the Israelites at the things, that there happened. Compare Judg.5.23. Job 3. And elsewhere] for there the shield of the mighty is reproachfully [Or, loathsomely, vilely, contemptibly] cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil, [viz. Saul, who fell so shamefully and contemptibly, that it was pitful for one that was the Lords anointed to fall so. Others apply it to Sauls shield: as they were wont in those times to anointed the shields (that were covered with lether) with oil. See Isa.21.5. Oth. Without the anointed with oil: i.e. severed from the anointed, etc. viz. from Saul.]

22. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan was not driven back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. [The meaning is, Jonathans bow, and Sauls sword were wont ever to hit sure, so that they turned not back without having felled to the ground the stoutest and valiantest souldiers of the enemy, though it have now (alas) happened quite otherwise]

23. Saul and Jonathan, those beloved and close lovely (ones) in their life, were neither separated in their death: they were lighter [i.e. swister] then Eagles, they were stronger then Lions.

24. Ye Daughters of Israel weep over Saul: who cloathed you with scarlet; [Protecting the Land against the enemies, so that it flourished in peace and abundance of all kind of riches, whereof this was a token] with delights [i.e. pleasantly, lovely, tenderly, that it was de lightful to behold. Oth. With (all manner of, or, with other] delights] who made you wear ornaments of gold upon your apparel. [Heb. who made ornaments of gold some up upon your apparel, by reason of the cause mentioned in the fore-going annotation, as also in regard of the prey, which he took from the enemies]

25. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle? Jonathan is slain upon thy high places. [See vers.19.]

26. I am distressed for thy sake, my brother Jonathan; very lovely hast thou been unto me: thy love [Which thou barest to me] was more wonderful to me, then the love of women. [viz. where with men love women: i.e. it excelled the greatest love and friendship that can be among men, being for David’s comfort kindled, and preserved by the Holy Ghost in the heart of Jonathan]

27. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war [Or, instruments of war: viz. Saul and Jonathan, who were as Israels weapons and means, whereby Israel was defended and protected. It may also be properly understood of the weapons of war, which the Philistines got for a prey] lost?