1 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;

2 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.

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

4 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.

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

6 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.

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

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

9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?

15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed.

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Ziklag - Which though burnt, yet was not so consumed by the fire, that David and his men could not lodge in it.
McArther Bible Commentary
David ascends to the kingship of Judah.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 14:7 1 Samuel 30:1 1 Samuel 30:17 1 Samuel 31:6

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Third day - From David's return to Ziklag. With his clothes rent, &c. - As a mourner.
McArther Bible Commentary
clothes torn and dust on his head. This was a common sign of anguish and mourning over a death. Cf. 2Sa 15:32; 1Sa 4:12.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 4:12 1 Samuel 25:23 2 Samuel 1:3 2 Samuel 4:10 Ezekiel 27:30

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:2 2 Samuel 1:4

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
McArther Bible Commentary
See 1Sa 31:1-13; 1Ch 10:1-12.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 4:16 2 Samuel 1:3 2 Samuel 1:5 2 Samuel 4:10

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:4 2 Samuel 1:6

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
McArther Bible Commentary
chariots and horsemen. Chariots and horsemen were a symbol of power and strength (cf. 2Sa 8:4; Exo 14:9; 1Sa 8:11; 1Sa 13:5; 1Ki 4:26; 1Ki 9:19; 1Ki 10:26; 1Ch 19:6; 2Ch 1:14; 2Ch 9:25; 2Ch 12:3; 2Ch 16:8; Dan 11:40). The Philistines were in pursuit of Saul with an abundant number of warriors, making Saul's escape hopeless.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 28:4 1 Samuel 31:1 1 Samuel 31:2 1 Samuel 31:3 1 Samuel 31:4 2 Samuel 1:5 2 Samuel 1:7 1 Chronicles 10:4

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:6 2 Samuel 1:8

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
McArther Bible Commentary
Amalekite. The man claiming to have killed Saul was from among the people whom David recently slaughtered (2Sa 1:1), whom God wanted eliminated (Exo 17:14; 1Sa 15:3), and who would plague Israel for generations (Exo 17:16) because of Saul's disobedience (1Sa 15:9-11).
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 15:3 1 Samuel 30:1 1 Samuel 30:13 2 Samuel 1:7 2 Samuel 1:9 2 Samuel 1:13

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:8 2 Samuel 1:10

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul.
The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
McArther Bible Commentary
killed him. The Amalekite claimed responsibility for Saul's death, saying that Saul was still alive when he found him. However, 1Sa 31:3-6 makes it clear that Saul died by falling on his own sword, not by the hand of the Amalekite. Thus, this man, who may have witnessed Saul's suicide, claimed to have killed Saul when in reality he had only reached his body before the Philistines, having fabricated the story to ingratiate himself with the new king by killing his enemy and by bringing Saul's crown and bracelet to David. The crown and bracelet in the hands of the Amalekite show that he was the first to pass by the body of Saul.
Bible Cross References
Judges 9:54 1 Samuel 31:4 2 Samuel 1:9 2 Samuel 1:16 2 Kings 11:12

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Amalekite is put to death.
David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 37:29 Genesis 37:34 Genesis 44:13 Joshua 7:6 2 Samuel 13:19 2 Samuel 13:31 2 Chronicles 34:27 Ezra 9:3 Esther 4:1 Jeremiah 36:24 Joel 2:13

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Amalekite is put to death.
David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.
McArther Bible Commentary
mourned and wept and fasted. David demonstrates genuine, heartfelt grief for Saul and Jonathan by mourning and weeping, as well as fasting, which were common ways to demonstrate grief (cf. Est 4:3; Joe 2:12).
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 31:13 2 Samuel 3:35

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Amalekite is put to death.
David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 14:7 2 Samuel 1:8

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Amalekite is put to death.
David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.
McArther Bible Commentary
the Lord's anointed? Despite Saul's many attempts on David's life, David would not allow himself to see Saul as just a mere man or human monarch; he remained "the Lord's anointed," who occupied a sacred role before God (cf. 1Sa 24:1-15; 1Sa 26:1-20).
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 10:1 1 Samuel 12:3 1 Samuel 24:6 1 Samuel 26:9 1 Samuel 26:11 Lamentations 4:20

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Amalekite is put to death.
David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.
McArther Bible Commentary
execute him! This most certainly came as a great surprise to the Amalekite, since he intended to win the favor of David by saying he had killed Saul. This event is similar to that of the men who later killed Ishbosheth, thinking they would be able to endear themselves to David (2Sa 4:5-12).
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 4:10 2 Samuel 4:12

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Amalekite is put to death.
David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.
McArther Bible Commentary
Your blood is on your own head. David executed the Amalekite on the basis of his own testimony, not on the basis of the truthfulness of his story.
Bible Cross References
Luke 19:22 Acts 18:6 1 Samuel 26:9 2 Samuel 1:10 2 Samuel 3:28 2 Samuel 3:29 2 Samuel 16:8 1 Kings 2:32 1 Kings 2:37

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
McArther Bible Commentary
lamentation. David chose to have both Saul and his noble son Jonathan remembered through this lamentation, which would be taught to all Israel as a national war song.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 3:33 2 Chronicles 35:25 Ezekiel 32:16

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Judah - These he more particularly teacheth, because they were the chief, and now the royal tribe, and likely to be the great bulwark to all Israel against the Philistines, upon whose land they bordered; and withal, to be the most true to him, and to his interest. The bow - That is, of their arms, expressed, under the name of the bow, which then was one of the chief weapons; and for the dextrous use whereof Jonathan is commended in the following song: which may be one reason, why he now gives forth this order, that so they might strive to imitate Jonathan in military skill, and to excel in it, as he did. Jasher - It is more largely and particularly described in the book of Jasher.
McArther Bible Commentary
the Song of the Bow. This was the title of the poem in which the word bow may have been chosen with reference to Jonathan, whose bow is mentioned in verse 2Sa 1:22. Book of Jasher. A poetic collection of Israel's wars in which Israel's events and great men were commemorated (cf. Jos 10:13).
Bible Cross References
Joshua 10:13 2 Samuel 1:19

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Beauty - Their flower and glory. Saul and Jonathan, and their army. High places - Heb. upon thy high places; that is, those which belong to thee, O land of Israel. How - How strangely! How suddenly! How universally!
McArther Bible Commentary
The beauty of Israel. Lit. the gazelle or antelope of Israel, the chosen symbol of youthful elegance and symmetry, most likely referring to Jonathan. Thus, the song began and ended with Saul's noble son (2Sa 1:25-26). high places! These were open-air worship sites generally established at high elevations. In this case, the high place was Mt. Gilboa, where Saul had died. How the mighty have fallen! They were not only Israel's slain "beauty," but Saul and Jonathan were mighty men who had fallen in battle. This phrase is repeated as a refrain in verses 2Sa 1:25, 2Sa 1:27.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:25 2 Samuel 1:27

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Tell it not - This is not a precept, but a poetical wish; whereby he doth not so much desire, that this might not be done, which he knew to be impossible; as, express his great sorrow, because it would be done, to the dishonour of God, and of his people. The daughters - He mentions these, because it was the custom of women in those times and places to celebrate those victories which their men obtained, with triumphant songs and dances.
McArther Bible Commentary
Gath … Ashkelon. Two chief cities which together could represent all of the Philistine territory. Gath was situated in the eastern part of the Philistine territory, while Ashkelon was in the west by the sea. David did not want the Philistines to rejoice at the calamities of Israel as Israel had rejoiced at the defeat of the Philistines (1Sa 18:7).
Bible Cross References
Exodus 15:20 Exodus 15:21 1 Samuel 14:6 1 Samuel 18:6 1 Samuel 31:8 1 Samuel 31:9 Micah 1:10

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Let there be, &c. - This is no proper imprecation; but a passionate representation of the horror which he conceived at this publick loss; which was such, as if he thought every person or thing which contributed to it, were fit to bear the tokens of divine displeasure, such as this is, when the earth wants the necessary influences of dew and rain. Fields of offerings - That is, fruitful fields, which may produce fair and goodly fruits fit to be offered to God. Vilely - Dishonourably: for it was a great reproach to any soldier, to cast away or lose his shield. Cast away - By themselves, that they might flee more swiftly as the Israelites did, and Saul with the rest. As though, &c. - As if he had been no more, than a common soldier: he was exposed to the same kind of death and reproach as they were.
McArther Bible Commentary
no dew nor rain. David spoke a curse, seeking the absence of dew or rain on the mountain where Saul and Jonathan had died. not anointed with oil. It was necessary in those times to anoint a shield with oil (cf. Isa 21:5) to prevent the leather from being hard and cracked. But, there on Mt. Gilboa lay the shield of Saul dried out, a symbol of defeat and death.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 31:1 Song of Solomon 4:4 Isaiah 21:5 Ezekiel 31:15

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Not back - Without effect: their arrows shot from their bow, and their swords did seldom miss, and commonly pierced fat, and flesh, and blood, and reached even to the heart and bowels. Returned not, &c. - But filled and glutted with blood: for the sword is metaphorically said to have a mouth, which we translate an edge; and to devour. And this their former successfulness is mentioned as an aggravation of their last infelicity.
McArther Bible Commentary
bow … sword. These two weapons were used by Saul and Jonathan with much power, accuracy, and effectiveness. It was also with the bow that Jonathan helped David escape Saul's wrath (1Sa 20:35-42).
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:42 1 Samuel 18:4 Isaiah 34:6

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Lovely - Amiable, and obliging in their carriage and conversation, both towards one another, and towards their people: for, as for Saul's fierce behaviour towards Jonathan, it was only a sudden passion, by which his ordinary temper was not to be measured; and for his carriage towards David, that was from that jealousy and reason of state which usually engageth even well - natured princes, to the same hostilities. But it is observable, that David speaks not a word here of his piety; but only commends him for those things which were truly in him. A fit pattern for all preachers in their funeral commendations. Swifter, &c. - Expeditious in pursuing their enemies, and executing their designs; which is a great commendation in a prince, and in a soldier. Stronger, &c. - In regard of their bodily strength, and the courage of their mind.
McArther Bible Commentary
beloved. This generous commendation, including Saul who was seeking to kill David, showed David's gracious, forgiving attitude-a model of gracious love (cf. Mat 5:43-48).
Bible Cross References
Judges 14:18 2 Samuel 1:24 Proverbs 30:30 Song of Solomon 5:16 Jeremiah 4:13

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Daughters - These he mentions; because the women then used to make songs both of triumph, and of lamentation, and, because they usually are most delighted with the ornaments of the body here following. Clothed you - This he did, because he procured them so much peace as gave them opportunity of enriching themselves: and, because he took these things as spoils from the enemies, and clothed his own people with them.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:23 2 Samuel 1:25 Proverbs 25:12 Proverbs 31:21

Verse 25

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Thine - Which were in thy country, and (had not thy father disinherited thee by his sins) in thy dominions.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:19 2 Samuel 1:24 2 Samuel 1:27

Verse 26

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Distressed - That is, for the loss of thee. For, besides the loss of a true friend, which is inestimable; he lost him who both could, and undoubtedly would have given him a speedy, and quiet, and sure possession of the kingdom, whereas now, he met with long and troublesome interruptions. Of women - That is, that love wherewith they love their husbands, or children for their affections are usually more ardent than mens.
McArther Bible Commentary
Surpassing the love of women. The bond between David and Jonathan was strong. However, this does not mean that their friendship was necessarily superior to the bond of love between a man and a woman. The commitment shared between the two of them was a noble, loyal, and selfless devotion (cf. 1Sa 18:3), which neither of them had ever felt for a woman. Unlike love between a man and a woman in which a sexual element is part of the strong attraction, this love between these two men had no such sexual feature, yet was compellingly strong.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 18:1 2 Samuel 1:27

Verse 27

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.
McArther Bible Commentary
weapons of war. A figurative expression referring to Saul and Jonathan.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:19 2 Samuel 1:25 Isaiah 13:5