2 Samuel 1 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Samuel 1 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

When these words were written, the books we now call "First" and "Second" Samuel were a single, combined text. Later translators separated them. Chapter and verse divisions came even later. Though this passage is marked as a new "book," the text continues uninterrupted from the last verse of 1 Samuel.

After years of evading King Saul, David, his men, and their families finally found respite in the land of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath (1 Samuel 27:1–4). Achish trusted David so much, he brought David and his army to the combined Philistine battle against the Israelites (1 Samuel 28:1–2). Fortunately, the other Philistine kings weren't so trusting. Achish sent David and his men home (1 Samuel 29). They arrive just in time to find their city burned and their families taken by Amalekites. While David's men rescued their wives and children (1 Samuel 30), the Philistines killed Saul's sons and wounded Saul, and Saul took his own life (1 Samuel 31).

Now, an Amalekite who came from the Israelites' camp gives a different story. He says the Philistines killed Saul's sons, but he killed the wounded king at Saul's request. As proof, he's brought Saul's crown and armlet (2 Samuel 1:1–10).

The Amalekite has grossly misjudged David's feelings toward Saul. David always respected Saul as God's anointed king. He loved Jonathan as a friend greater than a brother. Instead of celebrating the fact his enemy is dead, and he can now take the throne, David has the man executed for striking the king. The Amalekite's story contradicts the narrative of Saul's death in 1 Samuel 31:1–7. Critics often use this difference to claim the Bible contains contradictions and mistakes. The simple truth is that the Amalekite lied. Scripture accurately records his statement, and the consequences which came of it (2 Samuel 1:11–16).

The second half of the chapter features a lament or elegy written by David. He commands it to be published and taught to all the people of Judah. The lament calls for Israel to join David in expressing both genuine sorrow for the loss of Saul and Jonathan, as well as in celebrating their lives (2 Samuel 1:17–18).

In the poem, David repeats the phrase "How the mighty have fallen" three separate times (2 Samuel 1:19, 25, 27). He tells Israel not to mention Saul's death to the Philistines to give them reason to celebrate and curses the mountains of Gilboa as the place where they died and where their bodies and shield lay neglected. David celebrates their fierceness as warriors and the way they were loved and respected by the people of Israel and each other. He calls for the daughters of Israel to join him in weeping for Saul, in part because his kingship provided fine clothes and jewelry for them (2 Samuel 1:20–24).

Finally, David expresses his grief for Jonathan, a man whose love and commitment for him was more than that of women. Despite misuse by critics, these words do not imply that David and Jonathan's relationship was sexual. They were intensely loyal and affirming of each other (1 Samuel 18:1–4), but nothing indicates a romantic attraction (2 Samuel 1:25–26).

With God's approval, David will return home to Judah. There, the elders will make him their king. David will thank the men who risked their lives to rescue the bodies of Saul and his three sons from the Philistines. Meanwhile, Abner, Saul's military commander and cousin, will install Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king of the rest of Israel (2 Samuel 2:1–11). David will fight Abner for seven years before he can be king of all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1–5).

Second Samuel 1:1–10 records the moment when David learns that King Saul and Jonathan have been killed. Because of Saul's egregious sin against God, God has allowed the Philistines to kill three of Saul's sons. Archers wounded Saul, and Saul fell on his own sword (1 Samuel 31:1–7). A foolish Amalekite arrives, claiming that he killed the wounded Saul. He doesn't understand David's reverence for the Lord's anointed king. David mourns the loss and then has the Amalekite executed (2 Samuel 1:11–16).

Second Samuel 1:11–16 describes the fate of a lying Amalekite. His attempt to gain glory earns him the sword instead. Philistine archers had gravely wounded king Saul. Instead of facing mistreatment, he committed suicide (1 Samuel 31:1–4). An Amalekite has come to David with Saul's crown and armband, claiming that he finished Saul off by the king's command (2 Samuel 1:1–10). David orders a soldier to execute the Amalekite for killing the Lord's anointed. David then writes a heartfelt lament for the loss of the king and Jonathan and spreads it throughout Judah (2 Samuel 1:17–27).

Second Samuel 1:17–27 is David's lament for King Saul and Jonathan. Philistines killed Jonathan. Saul was wounded and fell on his own sword for fear of being captured and tortured (1 Samuel 31:1–4). An Amalekite has foolishly lied to David that he put Saul out of his misery; David had the man executed (2 Samuel 1:1–16). David's lament will spread throughout Judah. The elders of Judah will anoint him king, although he won't be king of Israel for another seven years (2 Samuel 2:4; 5:1–5).

Chapter Summary:

An Amalekite tells David that Saul and three of his sons have died in battle against the Philistines. The man lies and says he killed the wounded king at Saul's request. David has him executed for killing the Lord's anointed. David writes a psalm of lament for Saul's and Jonathan's deaths and celebration of their lives as warriors. Soon, David will be king of Judah, but Saul's son Ish-bosheth will be king of the rest of Israel (2 Samuel 2:1–4). David will finally wear the crown of Israel in another seven years (2 Samuel 5:1–5).

Chapter Context:

David learns his fight with Saul is over. Achish, David's Philistine benefactor, excused David from fighting with him against Saul. Three of Saul's sons died in battle, and the wounded Saul killed himself (1 Samuel 29; 31). David hears the news and mourns the king and his friend Jonathan. David will be king of Judah, but he'll have to fight Saul's son Ish-bosheth and his army commander Abner for another seven years before he's king over all Israel (2 Samuel 2; 2 Samuel 5:1–5).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

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