2 Samuel 1

King James Version

Full text for 2 Samuel Chapter 1

1¶ Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

2It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

3And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

5And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here [am] I.

8And he said unto me, Who [art] thou? And I answered him, I [am] an Amalekite.

9He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life [is] yet whole in me.

10So 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.

11¶ Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him:

12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, 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.

13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence [art] thou? And he answered, I [am] the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?

15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, [and] fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

16And David said unto him, Thy blood [be] upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.

17¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah [the use of] the bow: behold, [it is] written in the book of Jasher.)

19The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

20Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21Ye mountains of Gilboa, [let there be] no dew, neither [let there be] rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not [been] anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23Saul and Jonathan [were] lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with [other] delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, [thou wast] slain in thine high places.

26I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

27How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

After Saul's death, an Amalekite messenger informs David in Ziklag of the defeat of Israel and the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, claiming he personally slew Saul at the king's request. David and his men mourn deeply for the fallen. David then executes the Amalekite for laying hands on the Lord's anointed and composes a lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.

Medium Summary

David, having returned to Ziklag from defeating the Amalekites, receives news on the third day from a messenger reporting Israel's defeat and the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan. The Amalekite messenger recounts finding Saul wounded on Mount Gilboa and, at Saul's own plea, slaying him, then bringing Saul's crown and bracelet to David. David and his men express profound grief, tearing their clothes, weeping, and fasting for the fallen king, his son, and the people of Israel. David condemns the Amalekite for destroying the LORD'S anointed and orders his immediate execution. Subsequently, David composes a poignant lamentation, known as "The Song of the Bow," expressing sorrow over Israel's loss and praising Saul and Jonathan's valor and unity. The lament also curses Mount Gilboa and warns against revealing Israel's defeat to the Philistines, concluding with deep personal grief for Jonathan.

Long Summary

Upon his return to Ziklag after a successful campaign against the Amalekites, David receives a distressed messenger on the third day, who reports the devastating defeat of Israel by the Philistines and the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan. The messenger, identifying himself as an Amalekite, recounts finding Saul mortally wounded on Mount Gilboa, leaning on his spear, with enemy chariots pursuing him. He claims Saul, in great anguish and desiring death, requested him to deliver the final blow. The Amalekite states he complied with Saul's plea, believing Saul could not live, and then took the crown and bracelet from the deceased king, bringing them as proof to David. Upon hearing this grievous news, David and all his men react with profound sorrow, tearing their clothes, weeping, and fasting until evening, mourning for Saul, Jonathan, the people of the LORD, and the house of Israel, who had fallen by the sword. David then confronts the Amalekite, questioning his lack of fear in stretching forth his hand against "the LORD'S anointed." Without hesitation, David orders one of his young men to execute the Amalekite, declaring that the man's own words had testified against him. Subsequently, David composes a deeply emotional lamentation over Saul and Jonathan, which he commanded to be taught to the children of Judah and is recorded in the book of Jasher. This lament, often called "The Song of the Bow," mourns "the beauty of Israel" slain on the high places and repeatedly laments "how are the mighty fallen!" It urges that the news not be published in Philistine cities like Gath and Askelon, lest their daughters rejoice. David curses Mount Gilboa, wishing no dew or rain upon it, for there Saul's shield was disgraced. He praises the unwavering effectiveness of Jonathan's bow and Saul's sword. He remembers Saul and Jonathan as lovely and pleasant in life, undivided in death, swift as eagles, and strong as lions. David calls upon the daughters of Israel to weep for Saul, who adorned them with finery. He expresses intense personal distress and sorrow for his brother Jonathan, whose love was "wonderful, passing the love of women." The lament concludes by reiterating the tragic fall of the mighty and the perishing of the weapons of war.

Core Concepts

  • David's MourningDavid expresses immediate and profound grief for Saul and Jonathan, tearing his clothes, weeping, and fasting, demonstrating respect despite Saul's past animosity.
  • The Lord's AnointedThe sacred status of the king as God's chosen representative is emphasized by David's condemnation and execution of the Amalekite for claiming to have slain Saul.
  • Amalekite's JudgmentThe Amalekite messenger faces swift and severe punishment, not for bearing bad news, but for his confessed role in the death of King Saul, 'the LORD'S anointed'.
  • The Song of the BowDavid's poetic lamentation, a powerful expression of sorrow and respect for Saul and Jonathan, highlighting their valor, unity, and the tragic loss to Israel.
  • Mount Gilboa's CurseDavid symbolically curses Mount Gilboa, wishing it to be barren, as it was the site of Israel's defeat and Saul's death, where the shield of the mighty was disgraced.
  • Jonathan's LoveDavid offers a deeply personal and affectionate tribute to Jonathan, describing their bond as 'wonderful, passing the love of women,' underscoring the strength of their friendship.
  • Philistine Triumph AvertedThe instruction not to publish the news of Israel's defeat in Philistine cities reflects a desire to prevent the enemy from rejoicing over Israel's sorrow and weakness.