Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 1:8
(8) 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... read more
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