2 Samuel 1

2Sa 1:1-16.

AN

AMALEKITE

BRINGS

TIDINGS OF

SAUL'S

DEATH.

1. David had abode two days in Ziklag--Though greatly reduced by the

Amalekite incendiaries, that town was not so completely sacked and

destroyed, but David and his six hundred followers, with their

families, could still find some accommodation.

2-12. a man came out of the camp from Saul--As the narrative of Saul's

death, given in the last chapter, is inspired, it must be considered

the true account, and the Amalekite's story a fiction of his own,

invented to ingratiate himself with David, the presumptive successor to

the throne. David's question, "How went the matter?" evinces the

deep interest he took in the war, an interest that sprang from feelings

of high and generous patriotism, not from views of ambition. The

Amalekite, however, judging him to be actuated by a selfish principle,

fabricated a story improbable and inconsistent, which he thought would

procure him a reward. Having probably witnessed the suicidal act of

Saul, he thought of turning it to his own account, and suffered the

penalty of his grievously mistaken calculation (compare

2Sa 1:9

with 1Sa 31:4, 5).

10. the crown--a small metallic cap or wreath, which encircled the

temples, serving the purpose of a helmet, with a very small horn

projecting in front, as the emblem of power.

the bracelet that was on his arm--the armlet worn above the elbow;

an ancient mark of royal dignity. It is still worn by kings in some

Eastern countries.

13-15. David said unto the young man . . . Whence art thou?--The man

had at the outset stated who he was. But the question was now formally

and judicially put. The punishment inflicted on the Amalekite may seem

too severe, but the respect paid to kings in the West must not be

regarded as the standard for that which the East may think due to royal

station. David's reverence for Saul, as the Lord's anointed, was in his

mind a principle on which he had faithfully acted on several occasions

of great temptation. In present circumstances it was especially

important that his principle should be publicly known; and to free

himself from the imputation of being in any way accessory to the

execrable crime of regicide was the part of a righteous judge, no less

than of a good politician.

2Sa 1:17-27.

DAVID

LAMENTS

SAUL AND

JONATHAN.

17, 18. David lamented with this lamentation--It has always been

customary for Eastern people, on the death of great kings and warriors,

to celebrate their qualities and deeds in funeral songs. This

inimitable pathetic elegy is supposed by many writers to have become a

national war song, and to have been taught to the young Israelites

under the name of "The Bow," in conformity with the practice of Hebrew

and many classical writers in giving titles to their songs from the

principal theme

(Ps 22:1; 56:1; 60:1; 80:1; 100:1).

Although the words "the use of" are a supplement by our translators,

they may be rightly introduced, for the natural sense of this

parenthetical verse is, that David took immediate measures for

instructing the people in the knowledge and practice of archery, their

great inferiority to the enemy in this military arm having been the

main cause of the late national disaster.

19. The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places--literally,

"the gazelle" or "antelope of Israel." In Eastern countries, that

animal is the chosen type of beauty and symmetrical elegance of form.

how are the mighty fallen!--This forms the chorus.

21. let there be no dew, neither let there be rain--To be deprived of

the genial atmospheric influences which, in those anciently cultivated

hills, seem to have reared plenty of first-fruits in the corn harvests,

was specified as the greatest calamity the lacerated feelings of the

poet could imagine. The curse seems still to lie upon them; for the

mountains of Gilboa are naked and sterile.

the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away--To cast away the shield

was counted a national disgrace. Yet, on that fatal battle of Gilboa,

many of the Jewish soldiers, who had displayed unflinching valor in

former battles, forgetful of their own reputation and their country's

honor, threw away their shields and fled from the field. This

dishonorable and cowardly conduct is alluded to with exquisitely

touching pathos.

24-27. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in

scarlet, with other delights, &c.--The fondness for dress, which

anciently distinguished Oriental women, is their characteristic still.

It appears in their love of bright, gay, and divers colors, in profuse

display of ornaments, and in various other forms. The inmost depths of

the poet's feeling are stirred, and his amiable disposition appears in

the strong desire to celebrate the good qualities of Saul, as well as

Jonathan. But the praises of the latter form the burden of the poem,

which begins and ends with that excellent prince.