1. David’s discovery of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths ch. 11 Samuel 31 and 2 Samuel 1 record the transition that took place in the royal leadership of Israel. 1 Samuel 31 contains the factual account of Saul’s death. One writer saw no reason why both accounts could not be true. [Note: See Leon Wood, Israel’s United Monarchy, p. 168] read more
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
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
(21) Nor fields of offerings.—This somewhat obscure expression seems to mean, “Let there not be upon you those fruitful fields from which may be gathered the offerings of first-fruits.” Of course, this malediction upon the mountains of Gilboa is to be understood as it was meant, only in a poetical sense.Vilely cast away.—Another sense of this word is defiled. The ancient versions, as well as modern commentators, adopt some one, and some the other meaning, either of which is appropriate.As... read more
(23) Lovely and pleasant.—This applies peculiarly to Jonathan, but also in a good degree to Saul in his earlier years and his better moments, which David chose at this moment to recall. It also applies truthfully to them both in their relations to each other. read more
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
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
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
1:21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, [let there be] no dew, neither [let there be] rain, upon you, nor {i} fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not [been] anointed with oil.(i) Let their fertile fields be barren, and bring forth no fruit to offer to the Lord. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 1:21
21. let there be no dew, neither let there be rain—To be deprived of the genial atmospheric influences which, in those anciently cultivated hills, seem to have reared plenty of first-fruits in the corn harvests, was specified as the greatest calamity the lacerated feelings of the poet could imagine. The curse seems still to lie upon them; for the mountains of Gilboa are naked and sterile. the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away—To cast away the shield was counted a national disgrace. Yet,... read more