Now it ahappened after the death of Saul, when David had returned from bthe slaughter of the Amalekites, that he stayed two days in Ziklag.1 Sam 31:61 Sam 30:1, 17, 26 2 On the third day aa man came unexpectedly from Saul’s camp bwith his clothes torn and dust on his head as in mourning. When he came to David, che bowed to the ground and lay himself face down in an act of great respect and submission.2 Sam 4:101 Sam 4:121 Sam 25:23 3 Then David asked him, “Where do you come from?” He said, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 David said to him, “aHow did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people have fled from the battle. Also, many of the people have fallen and are dead; Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead.”1 Sam 4:16 5 So David said to the young man who informed him, “How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 And the young man who told him explained, “By chance I happened to be on aMount Gilboa, and there was bSaul leaning on his spear, and the chariots and horsemen of the Philistines were close behind him.1 Sam 28:4; 31:1-6; 1 Chr 10:4-101 Sam 31:2-4 7 When he turned to look behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am aan Amalekite.’1 Sam 15:3; 30:1, 13, 17 9 He said to me, ‘Stand up facing me and kill me, for terrible agony has come over me, yet I still live and I will be taken alive.’ 10 So I stood facing him 1aand killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. Then bI took the crown which was on his head and the 2band which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” 1+@Sam 31:4The young Amalekite’s story conflicts with the description of Saul’s suicide as recounted in 1 Sam 31:3-6. He must have, at the very least, witnessed Saul’s death since he was able to obtain the crown and the arm band. He apparently expected that his story about administering the deathblow, whether true or not, would result in some sort of reward or honor.This band or armlet was not jewelry, but a piece of armor worn around the arm.Judg 9:542 Kin 11:12
11 Then aDavid grasped his own clothes and tore them in mourning; so did all the men who were with him.Gen 37:29, 34; Josh 7:6; 2 Chr 34:27; Ezra 9:3 12 They mourned and wept and afasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan his son, and for the LORD’S people and the house of 1Israel, because they had fallen by the sword in battle.In general, sons of Israel or Israel or Israelites refers to all the people (males and females) of the various tribes descended from the twelve sons (Gen 35:23-26) of Jacob (later renamed Israel by God). In verses concerning things such as warfare or circumcision sons of Israel or Israel or Israelites usually refers only to the males. Tribes of ancient people were identified by the name of their founding ancestor. Therefore, this same general rule applies when referring to individual tribal groups, e.g. sons of Reuben, Reuben, Reubenites and so throughout.2 Sam 3:35 13 David said to the young man who informed him, “Where are you from?” He answered, “aI am the son of a foreigner (resident alien, sojourner) , an Amalekite.”2 Sam 1:8 14 David said to him, “How is it that you were not afraid ato put out your hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed?”1 Sam 24:6; 26:9, 11, 16 15 David called one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him.” So ahe struck the Amalekite and he died.2 Sam 4:10, 12 16 David said to the fallen man, “1aYour blood is on your own head, for byour own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’S anointed.’”I.e. your death is your own fault.1 Sam 26:9; 2 Sam 3:28, 29; 1 Kin 2:322 Sam 1:10; Luke 19:22
17 Then David asang this dirge (funeral song) over Saul and his son Jonathan,2 Chr 35:25 18 and he told them to teach the sons of Judah, the song of the bow. Behold, it is written in 1athe Book of Jashar:An early poetic account of the wars of Israel and the heroic acts of the warriors.Josh 10:13
19 “Your glory and splendor, O Israel, is slain upon your high places!aHow the mighty have fallen!2 Sam 1:25, 2720 “aTell it not in Gath,Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,Or bthe daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,The daughters of cthe uncircumcised (pagans) will exult.1 Sam 31:8-13; Mic 1:10Ex 15:20, 21; 1 Sam 18:61 Sam 14:621 “1aO mountains of Gilboa,bLet not dew or rain be upon you, nor fields with offerings;For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,The shield of Saul, dry, cracked not 2canointed with oil.As an expression of his grief David curses the place of Saul’s death.It was necessary to lubricate leather shields with oil to preserve them.1 Sam 31:1Ezek 31:15Is 21:522 “aFrom the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty,bThe bow of Jonathan did not turn back,And the sword of Saul did not return empty.Deut 32:42; Is 34:61 Sam 18:423 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely and friends in their lives,And in their death they were not separated;aThey were swifter than eagles,bThey were stronger than lions.Jer 4:13Judg 14:1824 “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,Who clothed you 1luxuriously in scarlet,Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.Lit with jewelry.25 “aHow the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.2 Sam 1:19, 2726 “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;You have been a good friend to me.aYour 1love toward me was more wonderfulThan the love of women.Jonathan graciously accepted God’s choice of David as the next ruler of Israel, and supported him, honored him, and wanted the very best for him.1 Sam 18:1-427 “aHow the mighty have fallen,And bthe weapons of war have perished!”2 Sam 1:19, 25Is 13:5