Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 1:1-16
An Amalekite’s account of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths 1:1-16The young Amalekite must have been a mercenary soldier who had joined Saul’s army. It seems more likely that this man’s account of Saul’s death was not accurate, rather than that he had had some hand in killing Saul, in view of 1 Samuel 31:1-6 and 1 Chronicles 10. [Note: See Robert P. Gordon, I & II Samuel: A Commentary, pp. 208-9; and Bill T. Arnold, "The Amalekite’s Report of Saul’s Death: Political Intrigue or Incompatible... read more
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 1:9
2 Samuel 1:9. For anguish is come upon me— The word שׁבצ shabatz, signifies an inclosing, or inclosure; and the meaning seems to be, "kill me, because an inclosure, or inclosing part of the enemy, has seized me." See the 6th verse, and Parkhurst on the word. Houbigant renders it, with the Vulgate, tenent me anguistiae: for I am in straits, Because, &c. should, I think, be rendered, though my life is yet whole in me. As this story of the Amalekite is a falsehood, there is less reason to be... read more