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2 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1:15

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

Modern
Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died.
Traditional
And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
Literal
And David called one of the young men and said, “Go near and fall upon him.” And he struck him, and he died.
Latin
Vocansque David unum de pueris suis, ait: Accedens irrue in eum. Qui percussit illum, et mortuus est.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died.

Notes

2 Samuel 1:15–16

The Amalekite expected a reward for killing David’s rival but was instead condemned for killing the Lord’s anointed. David himself had twice refused the opportunity to kill Saul (see 1 Samuel 24:5–7; 26:9–11).

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

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

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

Topics

David: King of Israel: Kills the Murderer of Saul Forgiveness: David Forgives Saul Government: Monarchical by David Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: The Murderer of Saul Kings: Often Exercised Power Arbitrarily Punishments were Inflicted by Order of Kings Punishments were Inflicted by Soldiers Sacred Anointing: Those Who Partook of not to be Injured or Insulted