seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Samuel 1:1 After the death of Saul, David returned from striking down the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. 2 On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor.
3 “Where have you come from?” David asked him.
He answered, “I have escaped from the Israelite camp.”
4 “What happened?” David asked. “Tell me.”
“The men fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”
5 Then David said to the young man who brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6 “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” the young man said, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and their drivers in hot pursuit. 7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, ‘What can I do?’
8 “He asked me, ‘Who are you?’
“‘An Amalekite,’ I answered.
9 “Then he said to me, ‘Stand here by me and kill me! I’m in the throes of death, but I’m still alive.’
10 “So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.”
11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13 David said to the young man who brought him the report, “Where are you from?”
“I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite,” he answered.
14 David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”
15 Then David called one of his men and said, “Go, strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. 16 For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’”
Here's the link to the commentary I use.As I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa: Some wonder if this Amalekite told the truth. He said he “mercifully” ended Saul’s life after the king mortally wounded himself (1 Samuel 31:4). It may be that he merely was the first to come upon Saul’s dead body and he took the royal crown and bracelet to receive a reward from David.
I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord: We can easily imagine the Amalekite smiling as he said this, assuming David was delighted that his enemy and rival was dead. Now David could take the royal crown and bracelet and wear them himself.
Where are you from: The young Amalekite probably believed that David was preparing to reward him.
How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed: Despite many opportunities to legitimately defend himself, David refused to reach out and destroy Saul. David knew that since God put Saul on the throne, it was God’s job to end his reign — and woe to the one who puts forth his hand to destroy a God-appointed leader.
Go near, and execute him: This shows that David’s grief over Saul was real. He didn’t put on a false display of grief and then secretly honor the man who killed Saul.
I would encourage you to use this link and read the rest of the chapter. It has a saying at the end, that we still use today. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen!"
Just yesterday we finished off the last chapter of 1st Samuel. It said that it was Saul's armor bearer who was with Saul. It said that it was Saul's armor bearer who Saul asked to run him through with a sword so he wouldn't have to suffer any more. Saul's armor-bearer couldn't do it, to him it was murder. So, it was reported that Saul took his own life and fell on his sword.
We also read that the Amalekites took Saul's armor... some of which is what this Amalekite was delivering to David in these verses. According to the commentary, this Amalekite, claiming to be the one who put Saul out of his misery, probably stole those items. So, he was probably a thief and a liar!
We also read, in yesterday's chapter, that they lopped off Saul's head and pinned him to a wall. Was this Amalekite one of those who hung Saul up like a prize pelt with his head on a stick to add an artistic touch to the tragic picture? Or, did he just sneak out the back with his plunder.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen!"
This is the second time someone offered David the Armor Saul wore into battle. Back in 1st Samuel 17, Saul offered David his armor so David could go in to take down Goliath. The armor didn't fit so David didn't use it.
But then again.... Saul was indeed God's anointed. David [anointed but second in line] had to wait his turn.
Now the enemy, a young lying, thieving, Amalekite, was delivering the armor to David.
I bet that young money-grubbing, lying, thieving, Amalekite was surprised for the last few minutes of his life.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen!"
The rest of the chapter is the lament David over Saul and Jonathan. David gave Saul his props, but I'll bet David's heart went out more for Jonathan.
Even this young Amalekite knew David would be the next king.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen!"
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