Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 1

After the death of Saul. — These words are immediately connected with 1 Samuel 31, and the following words, “when David had returned,” refer to 1 Samuel 30. The two books really form one continuous narrative.

Two days in Ziklag. — The site of Ziklag has not been exactly identified, but it is mentioned in Joshua 19:5 as one of the cities in the extreme south, at first assigned to Judah, but afterwards given to Simeon. It is also spoken of in connection with Beersheba and other places of the south as re-occupied by the Jews on their return from Babylon (Nehemiah 11:28). Its most probable locality is some ten or twelve miles south of Beersheba, and nearly equidistant from the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It was thus quite four days’ journey from Mount Gilboa. And the messenger who brought the news of the battle must have left the field before David’s return to Ziklag.

On the third day—that is, after David’s return, not the third day after Saul’s death.

Did obeisance.—The following verses show that this was not merely an act of Eastern respect, but was intended as a recognition of David’s rank as having now become king. The messenger, although an Amalekite (2 Samuel 1:8; 2 Samuel 1:13), had earth upon his head and his clothes torn as marks of sorrow for the defeat of David’s people and the death of their king.

Out of the camp of Israel. It has been questioned whether this Amalekite had actually been in the army of Israel. The expression in 2 Samuel 1:6, “As I happened by chance upon Mount Gilboa,” has been cited to show that his presence there was merely accidental. But no one who is not concerned in the matter is likely to stray into the midst of a battle, and the expression “by chance” is better referred to his coming upon Saul when he was wounded.

He certainly claims here to have been a part of the “camp of Israel.” He tells David the general facts of the defeat, and the death of Saul and Jonathan, as they really occurred.

Upon Mount Gilboa. —The battle appears to have been joined in the plain of Jezreel, but when the Israelites were routed they naturally fled up the mountain range of Gilboa, though apparently much scattered. It was in this straggling flight that the Amalekite happened upon that part of the mountain where Saul was. The true account of the death of Saul is given in 1 Samuel 31:3–6. (See Note on 2 Samuel 1:10.) It is uncertain whether the man saw Saul at all before his death, and it is extremely unlikely that he found him without warriors or armour-bearer, wounded and alone.

An Amalekite. —The Amalekites were hereditary foes of Israel, having attacked them on their first coming out of Egypt (Exodus 17:8–13), and at different times afterwards in the wilderness (Numbers 14:45; Deuteronomy 25:18). During the period of the judges they had also repeatedly joined the foes of Israel (Judges 3:13; Judges 6:3), but some years before this they had been terribly defeated by Saul (1 Samuel 15:4–9). and it is possible that the present messenger may either have attached himself to the army of the conqueror, or have been compelled, according to ancient custom, to serve in its ranks. One of their bands had also just received a severe blow at the hands of David, but of this last attack the Amalekite could not have known.