Keraia
2 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1:10

Saul’s Death Reported to David · 2 Samuel 1:1–16
Read 2 Samuel 1

Translations

Modern
So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the diadem that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them to my lord here.”
Latin
Stansque super eum, occidi illum: sciebam enim quod vivere non poterat post ruinam: et tuli diadema quod erat in capite ejus, et armillam de brachio illius, et attuli ad te dominum meum huc.

Original

Hebrew
English
So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

Notes

2 Samuel 1:10

  • The Amalekite probably reached Saul’s body before the Philistines did. The Philistines would not have left royal items, such as Saul’s crown and armband, on his body.

  • Israel’s king wore a crown. The Hebrew word is nezer, which means “consecration” (being set apart for holy use). The crown showed that Saul was set apart to God and chosen as the Lord’s anointed (2 Samuel 1:14).

2 Samuel 1:1–16

An unnamed Amalekite went to David, claiming that he had killed Saul. This claim was false. Saul had taken his own life(1 Samuel 31:4–6).

The Amalekite may have hoped that David would reward him for clearing the way for David to become king. Instead, David ordered him to be killed for harming the Lord’s anointed (the person God had chosen).

2 Samuel 1:1–27

The forty years of Saul’s reign ended in tragedy. The Philistines struck a devastating blow against his people. They killed Saul’s sons and later mutilated Saul’s body after he took his own life (1 Samuel 31). After these tragic events, the story begins to focus on David and his rise as a leader.

Parallels

1 Samuel 31:1–6 1 Chronicles 10:1–6

Glossary

Baanah Crown David Mount Gilboa Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Bracelet: Taken As Spoils Crown: Worn by Kings David: King of Israel: Kills the Murderer of Saul Falsehood: The Amalekite Who Claimed to Have Killed Saul Rings were Worn: On the Arms