2 Samuel 1:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag.

NIV: After the death of Saul, David returned from striking down the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.

NASB: Now it came about after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David stayed two days in Ziklag.

CSB: After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed at Ziklag two days.

NLT: After the death of Saul, David returned from his victory over the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag.

KJV: 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;

NKJV: Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag,

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).

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).

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.

Accessed 11/19/2025 12:23:26 AM