2 Samuel 1:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:1-10

Here is, I. David settling again in Ziklag, his own city, after he had rescued his family and friends out of the hands of the Amalekites (2 Sam. 1:1): He abode in Ziklag. Thence he was now sending presents to his friends (1 Sam. 30:26), and there he was ready to receive those that came into his interests; not men in distress and debt, as his first followers were, but persons of quality in their country, mighty men, men of war, and captains of thousands (as we find, 1 Chron. 12:1, 8, 20); such... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:9

And he said unto me again, stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me ,.... Which it can hardly be thought Saul would say; since he might as well have died by the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines, which he endeavoured to avoid, as by the hands of an Amalekite: for anguish is come upon me ; or trembling, as the Targum, not through fear of death, but through fear of falling into the hands of the Philistines, and of being ill used by them. Some render the words, "my embroidered coat",... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:1-10

The facts of this section may be stated thus: 1 . David having retired to Ziklag during the conflict between Israel and the Philistines, a messenger from the seat of war comes to pay him homage. 2 . David, being as yet in ignorance of the event on Gilboa, and being impressed by the signs of mourning on the stranger, is prompted to ask whence he came. 3 . Eager to ascertain further information, he learns from the Amalekite, not only that Saul and Jonathan were dead, but that,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:2-10

( ZIKLAG .) Selfish craft. Beyond the assertion of the Amalekite that Israel was defeated and Saul and Jonathan were dead, of which the diadem and bracelet afforded proof, it is uncertain how far his story was true. His statement concerning his own conduct cannot be satisfactorily reconciled with that of 1 Samuel 31:1-13 .; and, although credited by David, it was probably a fabrication, his motive therein being the desire of reward, as David himself clearly perceived ( 2 Samuel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:6-10

A sad end of a perverse life. We have here an Amalekite's account of the death of Saul. Whether it presents the truth, and can therefore be harmonized with the account in 1 Samuel 31:1-13 ; is doubtful. Possibly Saul did not die at once when he fell upon his sword, and being in anguish, and fearing to fall into the hands of the Philistines, begged the Amalekite to despatch him. But it is more probable that the account was false. In either case Saul committed suicide. It was a tragic end... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:9

Anguish . This word, which occurs only in this place, comes from a root signifying to entwine or knot together. On this account Jewish commentators explain it of cramp, which often follows upon loss of blood; but it is equally possible that it means vertigo, or giddiness, when things seem to dance or interweave themselves together before the eyes. The next words signify, For yet is my life whole within me, and give the reason why Saul asked the Amalekite to slay him. The story is at least... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 1:9

Anguish - The Hebrew word used here occurs nowhere else, and is of doubtful meaning (compare the margin). The rabbis interpret it as a cramp or giddiness. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 1:9

2 Samuel 1:9. For anguish is come upon me The Hebrew word שׁבצ shabats, here rendered anguish, seems to be wrongly translated in this place. It is rendered ocellata chlamys, by Buxtorf, a wrought, embroidered, or speckled coat of mail: a translation which is countenanced by Exodus 28:4, and Psalm 14:14, where words of the same derivation are rendered broidered coat and raiment of needle-work. The sense of the sentence seems to be, my coat of mail hinders the spear from... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

1:1-4:12 CIVIL WAR AFTER SAUL’S DEATHMourning for Saul and Jonathan (1:1-27)David learnt of Saul’s death from one of Saul’s own men, an Amalekite who had become a citizen of Israel (1:1-4; see v. 13). The man clearly thought that by adding a few details to the story and by bringing Saul’s crown to David, he could win David’s favour (5-10; cf. 4:10).As long as Saul lived, David had regarded him as the Lord’s anointed king and had consistently refused to harm him (cf. 1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 1:9

He said . His whole story was a fabrication. See the facts in 1 Samuel 31:4 , 1 Samuel 31:5 . life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . read more

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