Bible Commentaries

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

Now it came to pass. — Heb., And it came to pass: for the history is here continued by some of Samuel’s disciples, and, as some gather from 1 Chronicles 29:29 , by Gad and Nathan.

After the death of Saul. — Who began his reign with great glory and renown, but ended it with shame. Contrariwise David; who therein also became a type of Christ. Philippians 2:7-9

When David was returned from the slaughter, … — And was now triumphing and sending presents to his friends, he is thus, for an allay to those his comforts, met by an evil messenger. Miscentur tristia laetis. It is in heaven alone that we shall have joys without measure or mixture.

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It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

A man came out of the camp from Saul. — The Hebrews will have this man to be Doeg’s son, and further tell us that Doeg, Saul’s armourbearer, delivered to this son of his Saul’s crown and bracelets, willing him to repair therewith to David, so to win his favour.

With his clothes rent. — In token of greatest grief, as 1 Samuel 4:12 .

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And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. — But as good he had lost his life there; for his preservation was but a reservation to a worse end. Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. "Bloody and deceitful persons shall not live out half their days." Psalms 55:23

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And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. — He was very desirous to hear what was the issue of the battle, and how it went with the poor people of God; and hence this earnest inquiry. So 1 Samuel 4:13 . See Trapp on " 1 Samuel 4:13 "

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And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

Unto the young man. — The lad, the stripling, the servant, for so David took him to be: and such are called lads or boys in many languages. "Herod said to his servants"; Matthew 14:2 Gr., to his boys. And the Latins call the body Corpus or Corpor, quasi Cordis puer, as some will have it.

That Saul and Jonathan his son be dead. — For there lay the pinch of his grief, and the public concernment.

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And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

As I happened by chance. — An artificially composed speech, but scarce ever a true word. This Amalekite, which signifieth a licking-people, would, like a cur-dog, have sucked David’s blood only with licking; but was happily disappointed. Indeed, he happening happed upon Saul now dead, and brought away his crown and bracelets, for the which he promised himself some great preferment: but why should he tell so many lies? assuens mendacium mendacio, as Psalms 119:69 - viz., that he leaned, or fell, upon his spear, when it was upon his sword, 1 Samuel 31:4 that he talked to him, when his armourbearer saw him dead first, 1 Samuel 31:5 that he should desire an uncircumcised Amalekite to do for him that which he would not have done by the uncircumcised Philistines, …, Hugo observeth that Saul died by that sword wherewith he should have done to death the Amalekites. And another observeth that he is, if not slain, yet despoiled of his ornaments by an Amalekite whom he had spared. So at the hour of death men’s unmortified corruptions shall take their crown from them, - keep them out of heaven. Romans 8:13

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And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here [am] I.

And when he looked behind him. — This fellow had taught his tongue to speak lies, and wearied himself to commit iniquity. Jeremiah 9:5 He was an artist at it: and, like Dolon in Homer,

“ Iσκε ψευδεα πολλα λεγειν ετυμοισιν ομοια .”

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And he said unto me, Who [art] thou? And I answered him, I [am] an Amalekite.

I am an Amalekite. — See Trapp on " 2 Samuel 1:6 "

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