2 Samuel 1:8

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 1:8

And he said unto me, who art thou ?.... Being willing to know whether a friend or an enemy, which by his coming behind him he could not tell: and I answered him, I am an Amalekite : which he might be; but it is not likely he should tell Saul he was, which would not recommend him to him; though indeed he was now in such circumstances, that the Amalekites had nothing to fear from him; and if he was slain by him, as Josephus F6 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 14. sect. 7. affirms he was, it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 1:8

I am an Amalekite - Dr. Delaney remarks that an Amalekite took that crown from off the head of Saul, which he had forfeited by his disobedience in the case of Amalek. 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

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 1:8

Amalekite . Thus Saul was dishonoured by one whom his disobedience spared. Compare 1 Samuel 15:3 and Exodus 17:16 . read more

Thomas Constable

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 Constable

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

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

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