2 Samuel 1:1-27
"Second Samuel recounts the triumphs and defeats of King David. From his rise to the throne to his famous last words, this biography describes a remarkable, divinely-inspired leader. As king, David took a divided and defeated Israel from his predecessor King Saul and built a prominent nation. Like most political biographies, 2 Samuel highlights the character traits that enabled David to succeed - his reliance on God for guidance... but the book also describes the tragic consequences of David's lust and pride. By presenting both the strengths and the weaknesses of David, the book gives a complete picture of a very real person - a person from whom we can learn."
"The unifying theme of 2 Samuel is the establishment of the kingdom of Israel, progressing from a diverse group of divided and warring tribes to a solidified kingdom under David. However the purpose for recording these events was not merely to have an 'official' record of David's reign. Throughout the narrative, there is a continuing interest in the rule of God over His people. The book emphasizes that it was God who rejected Saul for his disobedience, chose David for the throne, and disciplined David for his pride. God was still the true King of Israel."
Thomas Nelson, New King James Version Study Bible
1:1-2 First and second Samuel were initially combined, therefore we pick up where we left off at the end of the previous book: David is in Ziklag, having recently returned from recovery the people and property stolen by the Amelekites. On his third day there, a disheveled man from Saul's camp approaches him.
1:3-4 David asks the man where he has come from and the man explains that he has escaped from Israel. This gives David his first opportunity to find out what happened in the war between Israel and the Philistines. He is anxious to find out. The man informs David that Israel has been defeated. The people have fled. Many have died, including Saul and Jonathan.
1:5 This is the opposite news that David wishes to receive; Jonathan is David's lifelong friend and despite Saul's treatment, David still has respect for him. To be certain of its accuracy, David asks the man how he knows that Saul and Jonathan are dead.
1:6 The man claims to have witnessed by coincidence Saul leaning on his spear.
1:7-9 The man tells David that Saul called him over to kill him; the spear wound was fatal, and Saul did not want to be vulnerable to his enemies before his death. We already know the truth however: Saul was fatally maimed but ended up taking his own life after his armor bearer refused to.
1:10 This man says that he killed Saul, upon his request. It is a deceptive claim meant to impress David. The man figures that either way, he will look good by telling this story. Either his action will be seen as an act of mercy or he will receive credit for ending the king's life. He tells David that he took Saul's crown and bracelet, Saul's customary ornaments as king.
1:11-12 David is devastated. His reaction to the proof of Saul and Jonathan's death is extreme grief. The men with him react similarly. The news of their deaths and Israel's defeat is painful.
1:13-14 In the middle of his grief, David realizes something. He asks the man where he is from; the man explains that he is an Amalekite. David has picked up the man's lie. David does not believe that God would allow Saul to die by the hand of this man. More than that, David finds the man's actions disrespectful to God.
1:15-16 David has orders the man to be executed and he dies: "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying 'I have killed the Lord's anointed.'" To David, the man's claim boasted authority over God. David himself had multiple opportunities to kill Saul but he never took them; he would not harm someone God had anointed. For David, this was a fundamentally grievous crime.
1:17-18 David begins a lamentation over the death of Jonathan and Saul. He tells the children of the tribe of Judah to remember this account and to carry it into generations to come.
1:19-20 These words are meant as a lamentation, David explains, not as a point of pride for the enemies of Israel. David's intention is the remind Israel that their separation from God always results in defeat and death.
1:21-22 It was a time of mourning and figurative drought for Israel and David wanted it recognized as such. Saul had not anointed his shield with the word and will of the Lord and consequently rendered Israel utterly defenseless. Remember that God chose Israel because they were small and weak, Deuteronomy 7:7. He wanted them to live as examples that God can make the meek mighty in the midst of fierce enemies. Without God, they revert back to their small and weakened state.
1:23-24 David has a high opinion of Saul and Jonathan. Despite Saul's shortcomings, because David knows that everyone has them including himself, he respected him. But David also reveals his compassionate heart. He has many reasons to hate Saul but instead he suffers at the news of his death.
1:25-26 David's friendship with Jonathan was deep. Jonathan and David's respect for each other was (is in heaven) soul deep. Jonathan could not be replaced in David's heart. And the joy their friendship brought him is incomparable. "How the mighty have fallen..." Jonathan was mighty in that his love for God throughout his life was passionate and steadfast. It is difficult to understand the loss of people we love while we are on earth; to David it seems Jonathan has fallen. In battle he fell but immediately he was lifted up by the Lord into the Spirit.
1:27 The "weapons of war" was a reference to soldiers. Israel is torn into pieces. David is pained by Israel's current state.
