Dusk at Ziklag: the small mud-brick town on its low mound above a dry wadi, walls and roofs still blackened, a few roofs freshly patched, and far off on the track from the north one man walking toward it, under a calm amber-and-violet sky.

The Book of

2 Samuel 1

A runner from the battle brings Saul’s crown to David, sure of a reward. David tears his clothes and weeps.

27 verses≈ 5 min4 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–4King in HebronThe house of Saul fallsChapter 1
5–6JerusalemThe ark comes home
7–10A house foreverGod's promise to David
11–12David's sinBathsheba and Nathan
13–20The swordAmnon, Absalom and Sheba
21–24Last wordsSongs, heroes and an altar

Saul’s Death Reported to David

After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage.

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David

“Where have you come from?” David asked.

The Amalekite

“I have escaped from the Israelite camp,” he replied.

“What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”

David

Then David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”

“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry closing in on him. When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I answered, ‘Here I am!’

‘Who are you?’ he asked. So I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’

Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’

The Amalekite

The Amalekite

So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

Evening in a burned street of Ziklag: David sits on the ground against a blackened wall, his tunic torn at the neck and his head bowed, his men around him on the ground and on fallen beams with torn cloaks, an untouched water jar beside them, under a darkening sky.

Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

0:17

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

They mourned and wept

David wept for the man who had hunted him for years. “They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul.” Is there someone who wronged you whose loss you could still grieve honestly? Write what that would cost you, and what it would show about God’s heart.

David

And David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?”

The Amalekite

“I am the son of a foreigner,” he answered. “I am an Amalekite.”

David

So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”

Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan

Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:

Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!

2 Samuel 1:19

David

From the blood of the slain,

from the fat of the mighty,

the bow of Jonathan did not retreat,

and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

2 Samuel 1:23

Pray

For everyone who grieves

David did not hide his grief; he sang it. Pray for everyone grieving today, that the LORD would meet them in their sorrow. Thank Him that grief honestly brought to Him is not weakness. Lord, You see every tear. Comfort those who mourn, and teach me to bring my sorrow to You. Amen.

David

David

O daughters of Israel,

weep for Saul,

who clothed you in scarlet and luxury,

who decked your garments with ornaments of gold.

How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle!

Jonathan lies slain on your heights.

Dusk on a stony hillside above Ziklag: David sits alone on a rock, seen from the side, a fine bow of horn and wood across his knees, one hand resting on it, looking out over the darkening hills.

I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother.

You were delightful to me;

your love to me was extraordinary,

surpassing the love of women.

How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!

2 Samuel 1:27

Question

Quick question

The Amalekite expected David to be glad of what he carried.

What did the Amalekite bring to David from Saul?

You’ve experienced

2 Samuel 1

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A verse to carry with you

How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!

2 Samuel 1:27

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