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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 1:17-27

David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan 1:17-27Students of David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan’s deaths have called it the Song of the Bow (cf. 2 Samuel 1:22). Laments over the deaths of individuals are not uncommon in the Old Testament (cf. 1 Kings 13:30; Jeremiah 22:18; Jeremiah 34:5; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Ezekiel 32:2-15). The only other of David’s laments over an individual’s death recorded in Scripture were for Abner, Saul’s commander-in-chief (2 Samuel 3:33-34), and David’s son Absalom (2... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

The Lament of David over Saul and Jonathan1. There is no break between the two books of Samuel; they really form one continuous narrative. This v. is a continuation of 1 Samuel 30, which describes David’s successful attack upon Ziklag. He had not heard of the events narrated in 1 Samuel 31.2. With his clothes rent, etc.] In 1 Samuel 4:12, which describes the arrival of the messenger at Shiloh with tidings of the capture of the ark, these were the same indications that he was the bearer of evil... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 1:26

(26) Passing the love of women.—By this strong expression, comparing Jonathan’s love for David to that of the faithful wife for her husband, David shows his appreciation of that wonderful affection which had existed between Jonathan and himself under the most untoward circumstances. It was such an affection as could only exist between noble natures and those united in the fear of God. In these last verses of the elegy which relate to Jonathan alone, David has given expression to his own... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

2 Samuel 1:18 1. The Song of the Bow. We never come to this song of the bow without being struck afresh with its beauty, its pathos, its lofty patriotism, its wholehearted grief, its tender recollection of a dead friend, and, perhaps, best of all, its generous forgetfulness of all that is bad in a dead enemy. The news has just been brought to David that his arch-enemy Saul is dead; and David, anointed by God to be Saul's successor, has been for seven years outcast. An outlaw in daily fear of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

CHAPTER I.DAVD’S LAMENT FOR SAUL AND JONATHAN.2 Samuel 1:1-27.DAVID had returned to Ziklag from the slaughter of the Amalekites only two days before he heard of the death of Saul. He had returned weary enough, we may believe, in body, though refreshed in spirit by the recovery of all that had been taken away, and by the possession of a vast store of booty besides. But in the midst of his success, it was discouraging to see nothing but ruin and confusion where the homes of himself and his people... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

Analysis and Annotations I. DAVID KING OF JUDAH AND THE EVENTS OF HIS REIGN 1. David’s Lamentation for Saul and Jonathan CHAPTER 1 1. The Death of Saul and Jonathan announced to David (2 Samuel 1:1-10 ) 2. David’s great Grief (2 Samuel 1:11-12 ) 3. The Amalekite slain (2 Samuel 1:13-16 ) 4. David’s Lamentation (2 Samuel 1:17-27 ) David heard of the death of Saul and Jonathan from the lips of the Amalekite, who also brought him the crown and the bracelet of the dead king. The story... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 1:26

1:26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of {m} women.(m) Either toward their husbands or their children. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

Verse 1 shows us that David's slaughter of the Amalekites took place at about the same time as the Philistine defeat of Israel. David had been two days at Ziklag when a man came from the scene of this defeat with outward signs of mourning, his clothes torn and earth on his head. Coming to David, he fell down, ostensibly giving David a place of honor (v.2). David evidently sensed there was something about the man that was not genuine. He was trying to make an impression and the only impression... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

DAVID MADE KING LAMENTING THE DEAD (2 Samuel 1:0 ) Surely the harshness and gentleness of David are strangely blended in this chapter. That one should so lament an enemy and slay the man who professed to murder him surpasses ordinary thought; but David was built on a large mould. Of course the Amalekite lied to David, for the inspired record of the death of Saul in the preceding book must be regarded as correct. Observe the motive governing David: “Wast thou not afraid.., to destroy the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

2 Samuel 1:0 "The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!" ( 2Sa 1:19 ). "How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!" ( 2Sa 1:27 ). David's Lament Over Saul FROM what we have learned of the relations subsisting between David and Saul, we should have expected a song of triumph rather than a song of lamentation, over the death of the king. For a long time there had been no kindness in Saul in relation to David. He had pursued him malignantly,... read more

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