Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 1
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Samuel 1
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Samuel 1
"And 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;" — 2 Samuel 1:1 (ASV)
Now it came to pass ... - There is no break whatsoever between the two books of Samuel; the division is purely artificial.
"And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me; for anguish hath taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me." — 2 Samuel 1:9 (ASV)
Anguish — The Hebrew word used here occurs nowhere else in Scripture and has a doubtful meaning (compare the margin). The rabbis interpret it as a cramp or giddiness.
"So I stood beside him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord." — 2 Samuel 1:10 (ASV)
The Amalekite was one of those who came to strip the slain on the morrow after the battle (1 Samuel 31:8), and was lucky enough to find Saul and take possession of his crown and bracelet. He probably set out immediately to seek David and invented this story, possibly after hearing an account of what really happened from an Israelite prisoner.
"and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword." — 2 Samuel 1:12 (ASV)
For Saul... David’s thoroughly patriotic and unselfish character is strongly displayed here. He looked upon the death of Saul and the defeat of Israel by a pagan foe with unmixed sorrow, even though it opened the way to the throne for him and removed his mortal enemy. For Jonathan, he mourned with all the tenderness of a loving friend.
"And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite. And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah`s anointed?" — 2 Samuel 1:13-14 (ASV)
Whether or not David believed the Amalekite’s story, his anger was equally stirred, and the fact that the young man was an Amalekite did little to calm it. We know from 1 Samuel 25:13 and 25:32-34 that David had a hasty temper.
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