The Report of Saul’s Death
December 5, 2020
Commentary
When Saul died David and his men were still living in Ziklag where he had been hiding from Saul (v. 1). This was a dark day in the history of Israel. War and defeat had come to these people because they were out of the will of God. Three days after Saul’s death an Amalikite arrived at David’s doorstep with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. He bowed in front of David attempting to show deep respect (v. 2). Immediately David began to question him as to why he had come (v. 3). This Amalikite began by telling how he had escaped from the Israeli Army after the fierce battle in which Saul and Jonathan had been killed (v. 4). David asked how he knew for sure that Saul was dead (v. 7). The Amalikite replied that he had found Saul leaning against his spear begging for someone to put him out of his misery (vv. 5-9). He said that he then killed Saul and brought his crown and one of his bracelets as proof (v. 10).
Having heard this David and his men were visibly shaken and mourned and wept and fasted till evening. They showed genuine sorrow over the loss of their king, even though Saul had been trying to kill David for many years (v. 11-12). Then David asked the Amalikite how he could kill God’s chosen king and told him that upon his own confession he must be put to death. Immediately one of David’s men put a sword through him and he died. David believed that God anointed Saul as king and only God could remove him from office (vv. 13-16).
Application
It seems that David thought the Amalikite was lying, both about his identity and what happened on the battlefield, thinking he could gain some personal award for killing David’s rival. How much respect do I maintain for my leaders, in spite of their shortcomings. I must always remember that lying can bring disaster like it did to this man.
2 Samuel 1:1– 16 (NET)
1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, he stayed at Ziklag for two days. 2 On the third day a man arrived from the camp of Saul with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he approached David, the man threw himself to the ground.
3 David asked him, “Where are you coming from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 David inquired, “How were things going? Tell me!” He replied, “The people fled from the battle and many of them fell dead. Even Saul and his son Jonathan are dead!” 5 David said to the young man who was telling him this, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 The young man said, “I just happened to be on Mount Gilboa and came across Saul leaning on his spear for support. The chariots and leaders of the horsemen were in hot pursuit of him. 7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me. I answered, ‘Here I am!’ 8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him, ‘I’m an Amalekite.’ 9 He said to me, ‘Stand over me and finish me off! I’m very dizzy, even though I’m still alive.’ 10 So I stood over him and put him to death, since I knew that he couldn’t live in such a condition. Then I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm. I have brought them here to my lord.”
11 David then grabbed his own clothes and tore them, as did all the men who were with him. 12 They lamented and wept and fasted until evening because Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s army, and the house of Israel had fallen by the sword.
13 David said to the young man who told this to him, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am an Amalekite, the son of a resident foreigner.” 14 David replied to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15 Then David called one of the soldiers and said, “Come here and strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. 16 David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head! Your own mouth has testified against you, saying ‘I have put the Lord’s anointed to death.’”