2 Samuel 1

Introduction:

For the last 20 or more chapters, we’ve been primarily focused on Saul.

But now the text focuses on David.

Now the Old Testament record focuses on David.

With the death of Saul, things changed dramatically for David.

He was no longer a fugitive.

And despite the previous treachery of some of his own tribe, he was quickly acknowledged as king by the southern tribe of Judah, his own tribe.

But remember that not all of Saul’s sons were in the battle.

For some reason, one did not participate or was held back.

And that son, Ishbosheth, was then propped up as king by the military leader, Abner in the North.

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So we have 2 kingdoms here … the kingdom of Judah ruled by David and the kingdom of Israel, ruled by Ishbosheth.

Over the next years there were minor skirmishes between the two kingdoms.

Over the next years there were minor skirmishes between the two kingdoms. But David’s strength showed itself, as did Ish-Bosheth’s weakness. Then Ish-Bosheth was assassinated (and the assassins executed by an outraged David). It was seven and a half years after David had become king of Judah that he was recognized as king by all of Israel.

But David’s strength would show itself, … as will IshBosheth’s weakness.

And (spoiler alert) David would become king over all of Israel.

IshBosheth would be assassinated … and the assassins would be executed by an infuriated David.

It was 7.5 years after David became king of Judah that he was recognized as king by all of Israel.

The story of David’s triumphs is told in two Old Testament books, 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.

2 Samuel primarily documents David’s reign.

Then 1 and 2 Kings documents the kings that followed along with some of the LORD’s prophets of that time.

1 Chronicles then retraces some genealogies and winds up back with David and then moves on to Solomon, his son.

From these books we can understand the significance of the accomplishments of this great king and man of faith.

David’s rule was strong and aggressive … his accomplishments were unparalleled.

On top of that, David is one of the great men of faith.

To cap it all, David is one of the great men of faith.

The Teacher’s Commentary 32: 2 Sam. 1–10; 1 Chron. 11–19—David’s Triumphs

David made king

2 Sam. 5:1–5; 1 Chron. 11:1–3

David takes Jerusalem

2 Sam. 5:6–9; 1 Chron. 11:4–9

David organizes the mighty men

1 Chron. 11:10–12:40

David defeats the Philistines

2 Sam. 5:17–25; 1 Chron. 14:8–17

David brings the ark to Jerusalem

2 Sam. 6:1–12; 1 Chron. 13:1–14; 15:1–15

David offers praise

2 Sam. 6:12–23; 1 Chron. 15:6–16:36

David receives a covenant promise

2 Sam. 7:1–16; 1 Chron. 17:1–15

David wins more victories

2 Sam. 8:1–14; 1 Chron. 18:1–13

David organizes his government

2 Sam. 8:15–18; 1 Chron. 18:14–17

David honors Mephibosheth

2 Sam. 9:1–13

David defeats the Ammonites

2 Sam. 10:1–19; 1 Chron. 19:1–19

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One of his great accomplishments was establishing the kingdom.

This first of all required defeating Israel’s enemies and setting up a boundary zone of safety.

Establishing the kingdom first of all required defeating Israel’s enemies and setting up a perimeter of safety. As archeological digs have shown, up to David’s time Israel was restricted to the hilly areas of Palestine; the rich plains were in the hands of the ancient Canaanite peoples. Then, in a series of battles (; ; and 10), David destroyed the power of the Philistines, Israel’s principal enemy since the days of Samson. David’s neutralization of the Philistines was complete; they never again posed any threat to God’s people.

Up to David’s time Israel was restricted to the hilly areas of Palestine.

The rich-soiled plains were in the hands of the ancient Canaanite peoples.

Then, in a series of battles which we will see in chapters 5, 8, and 10, David essentially neutralized the Philistines.

They never again posed any threat to Israel.

With more battles, David brought the transjordan kingdom of Moab and the southern kingdom of Edom under his control.

The kingdom of Israel proper then extended from north of the Sea of Galilee south to Beersheba.

It encompassed both sides of the Jordan River.

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These conquests set up a number of subordinate states.

And this helped to insulated Israel from distant potential enemies and provided natural resources of iron and coal.

The conquered peoples also provided skills of metalworking which Israel did not previously have.

Remember that the secret weapon of the Philistines was their iron weapons.

Israel primarily had bronze weapons, which were not as hardened and were no match for iron.

These states also made available the natural resources of iron and coal which Israel needed to maintain military strength, and the conquered peoples provided the skills in metalworking which were not known in Israel. No longer would iron, the Philistines’ ancient “secret weapon,” be unavailable to the Hebrews!

In David’s time, Israel became one of the larger land areas then held, and David was no doubt the strongest ruler of the contemporary world.

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Government organization. David quickly took steps to maintain all military and political gains. He instituted a creative military plan, under which 24,000 men were always under arms. The personnel roster rotated every month, according to , indicating that at least 288,000 trained men were ready for immediate service if needed. Yet David’s structure enabled most of his army to devote most of their time to civilian pursuits. The core of David’s military organization was 600 key commanders, his gibborim or “mighty men.” Over these he had, in turn, a smaller general staff.

Another of David’s great accomplishments was Government organization.

to maintain all of his military and political gains, David would need to act quickly.

And he did … He instituted a military plan of having an always activated standing army.

He instituted a creative military plan, under which 24,000 men were always under arms.

24,000 men were always under arms and ready for battle.

And, according to that roster rotated every month.

This indicates that at least 288,000 trained men were ready for immediate service if called upon.

At the same time, David’s structure enabled most of his army to devote most of their time to ordinary daily pursuits.

As we will see, the core of David’s military organization was 600 key commanders.

There were his gibborim or “mighty men.”

And over these men he had a smaller general staff.

David’s genius for organization was not just in the military, but religious and civil areas as well.

David set a governor over each of the 12 tribal areas and also established a cabinet for the central government.

They supervised his treasury as well as heading up various agricultural departments.

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Centralization or perhaps we could say Nationalism was also one of David’s accomplishments.

Since the times of Joshua, the people of Israel had thought more in terms of tribal than national identity.

Because of the tribalism, David’s own tribe, Judah, was quick to accept his rule.

But others were much slower in their acceptance of him.

David understood the religious and political significance of affirming Israel’s identity as a single nation.

So, when the time came that David was king over the whole nation, David acted quickly to centralize the government.

Choosing a suitable site for the capital was a very important part in that process.

However, the city David selected to be that capital was occupied by Jebusites.

The city David selected was occupied at that time by Jebusites. It was so strongly fortified that its inhabitants boasted that the lame and the blind could defend it against David (). But David’s army took the city by storm, overcoming those “lame and blind” defenders.

We’ll get to the conquest of Jerusalem in chapter 5.

There we will learn that the city was so strongly fortified that its inhabitants boasted that the lame and the blind could defend it against David ().

But David’s army took the city by storm.

The city of Jerusalem was located on the border between Judah and the northern tribes.

Jerusalem then became David’s capital.

Selecting it was politically savvy.

In selecting Jerusalem, David did not abandon his own tribe, or show favoritism toward Judah.

Jerusalem then became David’s capital.

AND when David finally moved the ark of the covenant to that city in chapter 6, Jerusalem became the center of Israel’s religious life as well.

From that time on, Israel was to offer sacrifice only at Jerusalem and to appear there before the Lord at the time of the three special religious festivals.

Of course, this was at a Tabernacle erected by David.

Through David, Israel now had a capital foretold by God.

Jerusalem was, “The place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put His name there for His dwelling” ().

Deuteronomy 12:5 NIV84

But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go;

Deuteronomy 12:5 NKJV

“But you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go.

Hebrew letter Shin

Shaddai - abbreviated to Shin

Valleys in Jerusalem

The Shin represents God’s name on Israel, but Jerusalem was the place where God would choose to put His temple.

At one time the Tabernacle was at Shiloh, but when David brought the ark into Jerusalem, he erected a tabernacle there.

From that time on, Israel was to offer sacrifice only at Jerusalem and to appear there before the Lord at the time of the three special religious festivals.

David would begin gathering the materials for the temple, but his son, Solomon would be the one to build it.

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Structuring Worship was another great accomplishment of David.

They caused a move from tribalism to nationalism … changing the thinking of the people.

Zadok and Abiathar served as chief priests and were members of David’s cabinet.

The priests and the Levites under them were organized into 24 shifts, each called to serve a brief time at the Jerusalem sanctuary ().

Thus priests and Levites typically served two weeks a year.

The rest of the time they lived at their homes.

David organized the singers and musicians who served the tabernacle, and would later serve in the temple.

David took a special interest in organizing the singers and musicians who served the tabernacle, and would later serve in Solomon’s temple (25:1–31).

Many of the psalms which David wrote were used in public worship.

Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (p. 230). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The Teacher’s Commentary 32: 2 Sam. 1–10; 1 Chron. 11–19—David’s Triumphs

David took a special interest in organizing the singers and musicians who served the tabernacle, and would later serve in Solomon’s temple (25:1–31).

Many of the psalms which David wrote were used in public worship. His personal commitment was reflected in the fresh interest of Israel in the service of God during the years of David’s reign.

His personal commitment to worship was reflected in Israel’s renewed service of God during the years of David’s reign.

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Some of his accomplishments were:

David made king - ;

;

David takes Jerusalem - ;

David takes Jerusalem

;

David organizes the mighty men -

David organizes the mighty men

David defeats the Philistines - ;

David defeats the Philistines

;

David brings the ark to Jerusalem - ; ;

David brings the ark to Jerusalem

David was also served by several prophets … most notably Gad and Nathan.

; ;

David offers praise - ;

David offers praise

;

David receives a covenant promise - ;

David receives a covenant promise

;

David wins more victories - ;

David wins more victories

;

They had a special ministry of instructing and reproving the king.

David organizes his government - ;

David organizes his government

;

David honors Mephibosheth -

David honors Mephibosheth

David’s reign as king was marked by several internal troubles.

Sometimes his power was compromised.

At other times David’s own actions brought disasters.

David defeats the Ammonites - ;

But David’s commitment to the service of God shaped Israel into a nation that, for a brief time, knew glory.

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As we’ve noted before, David has prophetic significance as well as historic significance.

When the kingdom of Israel had been firmly established, David yearned to build a suitable temple for the Lord.

hen the kingdom of Israel had been firmly established, David yearned to build a suitable temple for the Lord. But David was not permitted to build that house. Instead, God spoke to David () and promised to build David a house! That promise of a Davidic dynasty is understood in the Old Testament to have the force of a covenant: an unbreakable promise or commitment made by God.

But David was not permitted by God to build the temple.

Instead, God did something incredible.

He spoke to David as recorded in , and promised to build David a house!

This was an unbreakable promise or commitment made by God.

David was promised that after his death, a descendant of his would be established as ruler of a kingdom to be set up in God’s name.

God said, “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” ().

2 Samuel 7:13 NKJV

He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

David’s line was promised the perpetual right to Israel’s throne.

David sinned in terrible ways and his son Solomon sinned in terrible ways.

He deserved to be set aside, Solomon deserved to be set aside … and any number of the kings that followed deserved the same.

But the kings of Judah were always from the Davidic line.

Because of David’s faith, God did not treat his descendants as He had treated Saul’s.

Sins would not go unpunished, but David’s line would never be completely cut off.

God’s promise to David is an amplification of the ancient Abrahamic Covenant, and is recognized as such in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

In fact, the Davidic Covenant is the means through which the earlier promises to Abraham will be fulfilled!

As expresses it:

Psalm 89:3–4 NKJV

“I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’ ” Selah

What a great word … in fact, Psalm 89 affirms the certainty of God’s promise.

And again this great prophetic psalm affirms the certainty of God’s promise.

I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by My holiness—and I will not lie to David—that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before Me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.

Psalm 89:34–37 NKJV

My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah

From this point on, for the Hebrew people and for the later prophets, David stood as the symbol and the ancestor of a coming King.

And that ancestor was destined to set up a lasting kingdom through which salvation would come to the whole world.

God’s formal promise was confirmed over and over again in such passages as ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; and .

Of course, we must remember that Israel looked for a literal kingdom on earth ruled by this descendant of David.

This is why the New Testament writers went to great length to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth is David’s descendant.

This expectation resulted in the confusion which arose when Jesus did not repeat David’s military and political performance.

Not only were the common people of Israel confused but even Jesus’ own disciples.

Oddly, the thief on the cross seemed to grasp this better than anyone else, saying to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Do not read below:

Luke 23:42 NKJV

Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Luke 23:

Rather than throwing off the yoke of Rome as David had thrown off that of the Philistines, Jesus bowed His head and let Himself be led away and crucified.

Rather than throwing off the yoke of Rome as David had thrown off that of the Philistines, Jesus bowed His head and let Himself be led away and crucified.

He could have called an army of angels to release Him, yet chose to die as a criminal.

Even after Jesus’ resurrection, His disciples could not understand what had happened.

Even after Jesus’ resurrection, His disciples could not understand what had happened. They are recorded in Acts to have asked, “Lord, are You at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (1:6) Certainly God’s rule of the universe and over the ages is recognized in both Old and New Testaments. But these men were concerned about that form of the overarching rule of God known not as the “kingdom” but as “the kingdom promised to Israel.” As Jews they were curious about the destiny of their own nation.

They are recorded in Acts to have asked, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Do not read below:

Acts 1:6 NKJV

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Certainly God’s rule of the universe and over everything is recognized in both Old and New Testaments.

His kingdom is already established and has always been so.

Certainly God’s rule of the universe and over the ages is recognized in both Old and New Testaments. But these men were concerned about that form of the overarching rule of God known not as the “kingdom” but as “the kingdom promised to Israel.” As Jews they were curious about the destiny of their own nation.

But as Jews the disciples were curious about the destiny of their own nation.

As Jews they were curious about the destiny of their own nation.

And Christ’s answer to them was not a rebuke.

Instead, it was reassuring … The promises God has made will be fulfilled.

Jesus simply said, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”

Don’t read below:

Acts 1:7 NKJV

And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

And yet today so many Christians spend so much time speculating on blood moons, eclipses, shemitahs and such … but I don’t guess that’s any of my business.

In Jesus, men of faith have correctly seen David’s descendant who will one day establish an endless kingdom on earth.

But many did not expect centuries between His first coming as Suffering Savior and His second coming as King.

But they had not seen the centuries which lay between Jesus’ first coming, with His suffering as man’s Saviour, and His still-future second coming as Israel’s—and the earth’s—King.

This is the time of God’s long-suffering, desiring that all should be saved.

2 Peter 3:8–9 NKJV

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

It is important that you and I see Jesus as coming King.

It is important that you and I see Jesus as coming King.

Right now He is our Saviour, and our Lord as well.

But the day is coming when Jesus will be Lord of all … history has a goal.

The careening course of modern history, rushing as it seems to toward disasters over which men have no control, points up our need to reaffirm the fact that history does have a goal.

This earth, where sin first came and has caused such destruction, will once again know the creative and restorative touch of God’s own hand.

The Psalmist wrote in

Psalm 2:7–9 NKJV

“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

The way in which David is a foreshadowing of Christ is truly awesome.

He said to Me, “You are My Son, today I have become Your Father. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth Your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; You will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

He is a true servant of Jehovah … obedient to God’s law and an ideal king.

His rule is characterized by justice, wisdom, integrity, courage, and compassion.

He even sits on the throne of the righteous king of , Melchizedek in Jerusalem.

But the closest way in which he foreshadows Christ is seen in the covenant God makes with him which I mentioned earlier … God will make a house for David.

However, it is just a shadow of Jesus Christ who will come again to act in even greater power and will establish a worldwide kingdom whose glory knows no end.

The Old Testament picture of David, acting in his own might to establish Israel’s glorious kingdom, is but a dim foreshadowing of David’s Son, Jesus Christ, who will come again to act in even greater power and will establish a worldwide kingdom whose glory knows no end.

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The Old Testament picture of David, acting in his own might to establish Israel’s glorious kingdom, is but a dim foreshadowing of David’s Son, Jesus Christ, who will come again to act in even greater power and will establish a worldwide kingdom whose glory knows no end.

David defeats the Ammonites

;

The Second book of Samuel records the highlights of David’s reign.

It records his dramatic rise to power and his terrible sins of adultery and murder as well as the horrible consequences.

Those close to him would suffer and the whole nation would suffer because of his sins.

First and Second Samuel were originally one book known as the Book of Samuel.

In fact, in the Hebrew Bible, these books are included in the prophets.

The Septuagint … the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures … divides it into 2 books and calls it the “Book of Kingdoms.”

There, 1 Samuel is called “First Kingdoms” and 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings are called “Second, Third, and Fourth Kingdoms.”

It’s from the Latin Bible that we get the titles 1 and 2 Samuel.

In regard to Author, 2nd Samuel was probably assembled by one man who combined the written chronicles of Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.

In fact, 1 Chronicles gives us a hint:

1 Chronicles 29:29–30 NKJV

Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, with all his reign and his might, and the events that happened to him, to Israel, and to all the kingdoms of the lands.

1 Chronicles 29:29 NKJV

Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

You can probably tell that this was originally one book, as 2 Samuel is a continuous telling of the events from 1 Samuel.

1 Chronicles

It dates back to sometime between 931 BC after the death of Solomon and before the Assyrian captivity of the northern kingdom in 722 BC.

In all likelihood, it was assembled in the early years of the divided kingdom … maybe around 900 BC.

David’s reign in Judah began in 1011 BC and ended in 1004 BC.

He then went on to reign over a united Judah and Israel from 1004 BC to 971 BC.

Alright.

With all that being said, let’s pray and jump into our study.

Prayer:

v1

For ten years David lived as an exile.

He hid from and ran from Saul.

He was waiting for the time when God would put him on the throne of Israel.

Those years were hard, but David grew in faith and he grew in godly character.

The LORD equipped David for the work He had chosen for him to do.

During those difficult years, David grew in faith and godly character, and God equipped him for the work He had chosen for him to do. When the day of victory did arrive, David was careful not to force himself on the people, many of whom were still loyal to the house of Saul. He took a cautious approach, and we can’t help but admire David for his wisdom and patience as he won the affection and allegiance of the people and sought to unify the shattered nation. “So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” ( nkjv).

And when the time did come, David was wise and careful in his approach.

Many people were still loyal to Saul, but David did not force himself upon them.

In his patience, he won the affection and allegiance of the people and sought to unify the shattered nation.

Asaph, in wrote of David in this way:

Psalm 78:72 NKJV

So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

He took a cautious approach, and we can’t help but admire David for his wisdom and patience as he won the affection and allegiance of the people and sought to unify the shattered nation.

We open here with the continuation of where we left off with the last chapter of 1 Samuel.

“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” ( nkjv).

The Lord prevented David and his men from assisting the Philistines in their battle against Saul and Israel, so David returned to Ziklag.

The Lord prevented David and his men from assisting the Philistines in their battle against Saul and Israel, so David returned to Ziklag. There he discovered that the Amalekites had invaded and taken all the people and goods and had left the town in ruins. God in His providence led David to the Amalekite camp. David routed the enemy, delivered the women and children, and reclaimed all the goods as well as the loot the Amalekites had collected in their raids. He then returned to Ziklag and awaited a report from the battlefield ().

There he and his men discovered that the Amalekites had invaded and taken all the people and goods and had left the town in ruins.

God then led David to the Amalekite camp.

There, David defeated the Amalekites.

He freed the women and children which had been taken, and reclaimed all the goods.

He also took all the property of the group of the raiding Amalekites.

He then returned to Ziklag and waited to hear news from the battle of the Philistines and Israel.

But on the same day that David was defeating the Amalekites, the Philistines were overpowering Saul and his army at Mount Gilboa.

On the day that David was slaughtering the Amalekites, the Philistines were overpowering Saul and his army at Mount Gilboa, where they killed Saul and three of his sons

There, they killed Saul and three of his sons.

It says, “After the death of Saul” to let us know that at this point Saul was dead and Israel defeated.

It says, “After the death of Saul” to let us know that at this point Saul was dead and Israel defeated.

But David didn’t know.

David was not aware of Samuel’s prophecy that Saul and his sons would die and that Israel would be defeated.

Actually, the text seems to do something interesting here.

It appears to contrast the defeat and death of Saul and David’s victory over the Amalekites.

That is that just as all seemed lost, scripture directs attention toward a new leader who would restore Israel.

v2-3

Be Restored 1. Vindication (2 Sam. 1:1–16)

The Lord prevented David and his men from assisting the Philistines in their battle against Saul and Israel, so David returned to Ziklag. There he discovered that the Amalekites had invaded and taken all the people and goods and had left the town in ruins. God in His providence led David to the Amalekite camp. David routed the enemy, delivered the women and children, and reclaimed all the goods as well as the loot the Amalekites had collected in their raids. He then returned to Ziklag and awaited a report from the battlefield (1 Sam. 29–30).

At the same time that David was returning to Ziklag, the Philistines were desecrating the bodies of Saul and his sons.

Also, an Amalekite messenger was on his way to bring the news to David.

while David was returning to Ziklag, the Philistines were humiliating Saul by desecrating his body and the bodies of his sons, and the Amalekite messenger was starting off to bring the news to David. It took him at least three days to get to Ziklag, which was about eighty miles from the scene of the battle. So it was on David’s third day in Ziklag that he received the tragic news that Israel had been defeated and that Saul and three of his sons were dead.

It took him at least 3 days to get to Ziklag.

He had about 80 miles to travel from the scene of the battle.

So it was on David’s 3rd day in Ziklag that he received the tragic news that Israel had been defeated and that Saul and three of his sons were dead.

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There are a few things we should observe in these verses.

First, it says this man came from Saul’s camp … it means he was in the army of Israel.

This was a man who was fighting on the side of Israel.

It wasn’t unusual to have people from various places fighting as mercenaries … even against their own people.

Of course, that’s not the case here … the Amalekites raided Israel as well as the Philistines.

So, this was a guy that was out for himself … looking to enrich himself somehow.

Israel had been defeated, but this man wasn’t an Israelite … he could loot the battlefield and make a tidy little sum off the dead.

But this Amalekite came across the King of Israel, Saul, either dying in the field or already dead.

What happened between Saul and this man, we’ll get to in a moment.

When he found Saul, instead of simply looting the dead, he saw an opportunity to get a reward from David.

Or so he thought.

So he played it up.

Secondly, notice it says that he comes to David in Ziklag with his clothes torn and dust on his head … these were signs of mourning.

He didn’t care about Saul, David, or Israel … he fought for the money, he looted the battle fields, and he was angling for a reward now.

He prostrated himself on the ground before David.

It would seem that the first part of his plan was to ingratiate himself to David.

v4

Notice how this man tells David.

He’s saving what he thinks David will consider to be the best news for last.

He had the appearance of being in great distress … torn clothes, dirt on his head … he is the bearer of bad news.

David was with the Philistines now, or so this man thought … so maybe news of Israel’s defeat wouldn’t be so bad for him.

Or, perhaps David would take it badly, in which case he better look like he is mourning over Israel’s defeat.

But surely news of Saul’s death and the death of his heirs would brighten David’s mood!

After all, Saul had hunted David down like an enemy … everyone in the land knew that.

So, he finishes with the news that he thought would open up David’s money bags.

This man was very sly in his scheme.

v5-10

David wanted to know how this man knew … did he have proof?

David is not hoping what this man is saying is true … he’s hoping that it might not be true.

Notice that this man’s account of Saul’s death is different from the account given in

Actually, scripture gives us 3 accounts of the death of Saul and his sons: , the report of the messenger in , and the record in .

According to and , Saul killed himself by falling on his sword.

Scripture gives us three accounts of the death of Saul and his sons: , the report of the messenger in , and the record in . According to , Saul killed himself by falling on his sword, but the messenger said he had killed Saul to save him from experiencing further agony and humiliation. informs us that it was God who killed Saul for his rebellion, especially the sin of seeking guidance from a medium. Only with great difficulty can the reports in and be reconciled with the report of the messenger; therefore, it’s likely the man was lying.

But the messenger said he had killed Saul to save him from experiencing further agony and humiliation.

informs us that it was God who killed Saul for his rebellion, especially the sin of seeking guidance from a medium.

1 Chronicles 10:14 NKJV

But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

Only by adding opinions to what scripture says can the reports of and be reconciled with the report of the messenger.

Only with great difficulty can the reports in and be reconciled with the report of the messenger; therefore, it’s likely the man was lying.

So then, it’s reasonable to conclude that the man was lying.

I don’t think there is any question that the man had been on the battlefield, having deserted the Israelite army to loot.

And notice that he says, “He happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa.”

He doesn’t want David to suspect that he was looting, nor that he had deserted the Israelite army.

There he found the corpses of Saul and his sons before the Philistines had identified them.

He said he found Saul leaning on his spear.

He was either painting the picture of a man mortally wounded and leaning on the shaft of his spear for support.

Or, Saul propped up where he had tried to fall on his sword but the wound had not killed him.

Whatever story this guy was trying to sell, we know that scripture says he was already dead.

He took Saul’s symbols of kingship, his golden armband, and the gold headband.

However, the Amalekite didn’t kill Saul as he claimed, because Saul and his sons were already dead.

But he had a chance to take.

He might just produce proof that Saul was dead and receive the pay due to a messenger.

OR, he might claim to have killed David’s enemy and receive the reward of a hero.

He chose to chance David’s reaction and go for the greater reward.

But by claiming that he killed Saul, he lost his own life.

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Now, if the Amalekite was telling the truth, then it would present a kind of irony.

Saul’s career as king began with the charge to eradicate the Amalekites, a task which he was disobedient in doing.

So, if the Amalekite was telling the truth, there is irony in the fact that Saul died at the hands of an Amalekite looter.

v11-12

The Amalekite expected celebration from David.

Imagine his surprise when David and his men rose up and tore their clothes … a sign of mourning.

He thought that everybody in Ziklag would rejoice to hear the news of Saul’s death, knowing that this meant they were no longer fugitives … especially David.

He thought that everybody in Ziklag would rejoice to hear the news of Saul’s death, knowing that this meant the end of their dangerous fugitive way of life.

He expected to be showered in rewards for bringing this news.

What he didn’t expect was that David was a man after the Lord’s own heart.

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In David’s eyes, Saul was never his enemy.

And on two occasions, in and 26, when David could have killed Saul, he made it clear that he would never lay hands on the Lord’s anointed.

v13-16

But if he had been living in the land of Israel, he surely would have known that the king of Israel was the anointed of the Lord.

If a loyal Jew had found the four corpses, he would have sought to hide them and protect them from the enemy; but the Amalekites were the enemies of Israel, the very people Saul was supposed to wipe out (). It’s likely that the messenger was a genuine Amalekite but not a resident alien in Israel. He was more likely a “camp follower” who made his living scavenging after the Philistine army. By claiming to be the son of a resident alien, the man was asking for certain privileges specified in the Law of Moses, privileges he certainly didn’t deserve (; ; ; ; ).

Now, sensing he had made a terrible error, this Amalekite had to wait, probably under guard, until evening.

v13-16

Their mourning ended at evening, which would have been the beginning of a new day by their calendar.

And David went further in questioning this messenger.

If he was telling the truth, then he had killed the LORD’s anointed king and deserved to be put to death.

If he was lying, then he was a deserter and a looter and he deserved to die.

At evening, when the time of mourning had ended, David further interrogated the messenger and concluded that the man deserved to die. If the story he told was true, then the man had murdered God’s anointed king and deserved to die. If the story was not true, the fact that the Amalekite fabricated a tale about killing the king revealed the depravity of his heart. “Out of your own mouth I will judge you” ( nkjv). The Jews had been commanded to annihilate the Amalekites (; ), so when David ordered the messenger to be slain, he was simply obeying the Lord, something Saul had failed to do ().

If the story he told was true, then the man had murdered God’s anointed king and deserved to die. If the story was not true, the fact that the Amalekite fabricated a tale about killing the king revealed the depravity of his heart. “Out of your own mouth I will judge you” ( nkjv). The Jews had been commanded to annihilate the Amalekites (; ), so when David ordered the messenger to be slain, he was simply obeying the Lord, something Saul had failed to do ().

If the story was not true, the fact that the Amalekite fabricated a tale about killing the king revealed the depravity of his heart.

Having expected reward, the messenger was instead called to account for having presumed to kill the Lord’s anointed.

The command to destroy the Amalekites was given to Saul when he was king.

With Saul now dead and David about to take the throne, the execution of this Amalekite messenger would be taking up where Saul had left off.

“Out of your own mouth I will judge you” ( nkjv).

The command to destroy the Amalekites was to Saul when he was king.

However, with Saul now dead and David about to take the throne, his execution of this Amalekite messenger would be taking up where Saul had left off.

Actually, the Jews had been commanded to annihilate the Amalekites ().

So when David ordered the messenger to be slain, he was simply obeying the Lord, something Saul had failed to do.

Deuteronomy 25:17–19 NKJV

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.

In slaying the messenger, David vindicated Saul and his sons.

He also demonstrated publicly that he had not been Saul’s enemy and did not rejoice at Saul’s death.

In regards to Israel, this was the wise thing for David to do … he couldn’t be seen as having commissioned someone to kill Saul.

In regards to the Philistines, this was a dangerous thing for David to do.

David was in Philistine territory and the Philistine king still saw David as a friend and an ally.

For David to take his stand with the dead king of Israel could be considered an act of treason.

But the Lord had vindicated David and David had vindicated Saul, and David wasn’t afraid.

For David to take his stand with the dead king of Israel could be considered an act of treason. But the Lord had vindicated David and David had vindicated Saul, and David wasn’t afraid. The conduct of David and his camp, when reported to the Jewish people, would help to convince them that David indeed was chosen by God to be their king.

Many in Israel had heard of David’s anointing by now, but there would have been suspicions and rumors.

But David and his camp conducted themselves wisely.

The conduct of David and his camp, when reported to the Jewish people, would help to convince them that David indeed was chosen by God to be their king.

And this, when reported to the Jewish people, would help to convince them that David indeed was chosen by God to be their king.

v17

David’s mourning over the death of Saul and his sons was by no means insincere.

To help people remember them, David wrote a very touching song in their honor.

And just writing the song wasn’t enough … he commanded that the song by taught and sung in all Judah.

Certainly, other tribes appreciated this song as well.

The song came to be known as “The song of the Bow.”

It was recorded in The Book of Jasher, which was a book containing poems and songs praising the heroes of Israel and their exploits in battle.

The Book of Jasher mentioned in the Bible was lost and has not survived to modern times.

There are several floating around out there using that title, but they are forgeries and fiction.

The great theme of this song is, “How the Mighty have fallen.”

The emphasis of the song is the greatness of Saul and Jonathan, even in defeat and death.

In this song, David celebrated their bravery, their skill, and their willingness to give their lives for Israel.

It’s interesting that despite all that Saul did to David, there is nothing in this song that speaks of any sins or mistakes in the lives of Saul and Jonathan.

v19-20

Beauty here is better translated “glory” … “Your glory, O Israel.”

David calls the dead king and his army “Your glory, O Israel” and “the mighty.” They didn’t display much glory or might in the battle of Gilboa, but Saul was still God’s chosen leader and his soldiers were the army of the Lord of Hosts. We’re prone to forget that Saul and his army had risked their lives to fight and win many significant battles () and that the Jewish women did sing “Saul has slain his thousands” (). David urged the people not to spread the bad news of Israel’s defeat, for the Philistines would take care of that. Gath was the capital city of the Philistines where the leaders would rejoice at their victory, and Ashkelon was the chief religious center, where the people would give thanks to their idols for helping their army defeat Israel.

David calls the dead king and his army “Your glory, O Israel” and “the mighty.”

Sure, in their most recent battle, they didn’t display much glory or might.

But Saul was still God’s chosen leader.

His soldiers were the army of the Lord of Hosts.

It’s easy to look only at the bad side of Saul and forget that he and his army had risked their lives to fight and win many significant battles.

The Jewish women even sang, “Saul has slain his thousands.”

The Philistines would gladly spread the bad news of Israel’s defeat.

David urged the people not to give the Philistines satisfaction by spreading the news.

Gath was the capital city of the Philistines where the leaders would rejoice at their victory.

Ashkelon was the chief religious center, where the people would give thanks to their idols for helping their army defeat Israel.

v21

The mountains of Gilboa is where the battle had just been fought.

He addresses the mountains of Gilboa (). This is where the battle was fought and Saul was defeated (; ; ). David prayed that God would forsake the place and not send rain or dew to the fields or give the farmers fruitful harvests, even though this meant there could be no grain offerings for the Lord. He asked that God’s creation join him in mourning over the defeat of Israel and the fall of their king. When David referred to the shield, was he speaking literally or metaphorically, or both? Saul carried a shield, and Israel’s king was compared to a shield (; ). Warriors did anoint their leather shields to preserve them, but the king was also God’s anointed leader. Saul and his three sons had lost their shields and their lives, and their shields were defiled by blood.

It’s where Saul was defeated.

And David asked that God’s creation join him in mourning over the defeat of Israel and the fall of their king.

David prayed that God would forsake the place.

He asks that God not send rain or dew to the fields even though this meant there could be no grain offerings for the Lord.

He asked that God’s creation join him in mourning over the defeat of Israel and the fall of their king.

Saul carried a shield, and Israel’s king was compared to a shield in the Psalms (; ).

Psalm 84:9 NKJV

O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed.

Psalm 89:18 NKJV

For our shield belongs to the Lord, And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Warriors did anoint their leather shields to preserve them, but the king was also God’s anointed leader.

Saul’s shield, like his reign, was broken, as cracked leather … as if having never been anointed with Samuel’s oil.

v22-23

This is the heart of the song.

Even though the army of Israel was defeated, David wanted the people to remember the greatness of their king and his sons.

David depicts Saul and Jonathan as victorious warriors.

Jonathan’s arrows hit their mark and Saul’s sword “did not return empty.”

David may be ignoring the past … perhaps speaking out of a heart of forgiveness … But to David, these men were more than great soldiers.

He sees they were also gracious people who were beloved in life and in death loyal to each other and to the people.

From his meeting with Samuel in the medium’s house, Saul knew that he and his sons would die that day in battle ().

Yet he entered the battle and fought hard.

And Jonathan, while he knew that his father had disobeyed God and sinned against David, still stayed at his father’s side in the fight.

With verse 23, we see just how forgiving David was toward Saul.

He addresses the daughters of Jerusalem (). In spite of his faults and failures, during his reign Saul had brought stability to the nation. The tribes had abandoned selfish independence and competition and were striving to work together to better their lot, including their economic position. Saul’s victories over enemy nations, greater safety in the towns and farmlands, and tribal cooperation all combined to make Israel wealthier. David seems to be describing the wealthy women and their luxuries, perhaps the wives of some of Saul’s officers David had seen while he was serving in Saul’s court. “Clothed … in scarlet and finery” is a familiar phrase that means “basking in wealth.”

We know how terrible Saul had been to David, yet David sings of Saul and Jonathan as gracious people who were beloved in life and in death loyal to each other and to the people.

But to David, these men weren’t just great soldiers; they were also gracious people who were beloved in life and in death loyal to each other and to the people.

v24

v24

In spite of his faults and failures, during his reign Saul had brought stability to the nation.

People were striving to work together to better their lot, including their economic position.

Saul’s victories over enemy nations, brought a measure of safety in the towns and farmlands.

Israel had even begun to enjoy some prosperity.

v25-26

“My brother Jonathan” carries a double meaning.

They were brothers-in-law (David was married to Michal, Jonathan’s sister) and also brothers in heart and spirit.

David and Jonathan were beloved friends who back in had covenanted together to share the throne.

David would be king and Jonathan would be second in command ().

Some people have tried to use the phrase, “Surpassing the love of women” to point to an inappropriate homosexual relationship between David and Jonathan.

This is a misinterpretation of David’s words.

Solomon described the love of husband and wife as “strong as death” ( nkjv), and the friendship of David and Jonathan was that strong.

Song of Solomon 8:6 NKJV

Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame.

says, “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

1 Samuel 18:1 NKJV

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

David closed his lament by repeating the phrase “How are the mighty fallen.”

He compared Saul and Jonathan to weapons of war that had been lost and could never be used again.

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As you’ve probably noticed, one of the key words in this chapter is fallen.

It’s found in verses 4, 10, 12, 19, 25 and 27.

When Saul began his royal career, he was described as standing head and shoulders “taller than any of the people.”

1 Samuel 9:2 NKJV

And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

1 Samuel 10:23 NKJV

So they ran and brought him from there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.

But he ended his career a fallen king.

He fell on his face in fear in the house of the spirit medium (), and he fell on the battlefield before the enemy ().

David humbled himself before the Lord, and the Lord lifted him up; but Saul’s pride and rebellion brought him to a great fall.

1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

We might pridefully think we can go it alone … we can ignore God’s instruction and ignore the examples that we have in scripture.

If we do, we will eventually fall.

What we can do is humble ourselves before the Lord in repentance.

We can humble ourselves in fleeing from the temptation to sin rather than pretend we are strong.