2 Samuel 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 24

1 And it happened, after the dying of Saul, David returned from striking the Amalekites; and David remained in Ziklag two days.

2 And it happened in the third day, behold, a man came in out of the camp from Saul. And his garments were torn, and earth on his head. And it happened as he came to David, he fell to the earth and bowed himself.

3 And David said to him, From where do you come? And he said to him, I have escaped out of the camp of Israel.

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Chapter Summary

The Amalekite, who brought tidings of the overthrow, and accused himself of Saul's death, is executed. David laments Saul and Jonathan.

Key Hebrew Words

קִינָה dirge, lament H7015 · TWOT 2018a
מָשִׁיחַ anointed one H4899 · TWOT 1255c
גִּבּוֹר mighty man H1368 · TWOT 310b
חָלָל slain, pierced H2491 · TWOT 660a
אַהֲבָה love H160 · TWOT 29c
קֶ֫שֶׁת bow H7198 · TWOT 2093

People & Context

David

Returning from striking the Amalekites; he mourns Saul and Jonathan and chants the Song of the Bow.

Saul

Israel's fallen king, slain on Mount Gilboa; the chief subject of David's lament.

Jonathan

Saul's son and David's beloved friend, fallen in battle; David grieves his love more than that of women.

The Amalekite

A foreigner from Saul's camp who claims he killed the anointed king; David has him executed.

Jehovah

The covenant God whose anointed (Saul) the Amalekite dared to destroy.

Timeline

David Remains in Ziklag

After the death of Saul, David returns from striking the Amalekites and stays in Ziklag for two days.

2 Samuel 1:1
Messenger Arrives from Saul's Camp

A man with torn garments and earth on his head arrives from Israel's camp to report that the people have fled and that Saul and Jonathan have died.

2 Samuel 1:2-4
The Amalekite's Account of Saul's Death

The messenger, identifying himself as an Amalekite, claims he killed Saul at Saul's own request to end his agony, and presents Saul's crown and bracelet to David.

2 Samuel 1:5-10

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