An Amalekite Reports Saul and Jonathan's Death
2 Samuel 1:1-16
2 S.1.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מהכות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- העמלק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בצקלג: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:6-13 (allusion): Gives the primary account of Saul’s death (which 2 Sam.1:1 presupposes) and the aftermath among the people of Israel and the men of Jabesh‑gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 10:12-14 (verbal): Chronicles retells Saul’s death with language and theological comment similar to Samuel, paralleling the opening clause ‘after the death of Saul.’
- 1 Samuel 30:17-20 (verbal): Describes David’s defeat of the Amalekites and the recovery of the spoil—same event referred to in 2 Sam.1:1 (‘returned from striking the Amalekites’).
- 1 Samuel 30:1-6 (structural): Sets the Ziklag episode (attack on Ziklag, David’s distress and the timeline) that provides background for David’s residence at Ziklag mentioned in 2 Sam.1:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained in Ziklag two days.
- It came to pass after the death of Saul that David returned from striking the Amalekites, and David stayed in Ziklag two days.
2 S.1.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- השלישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מעם: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובגדיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg,poss
- קרעים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ואדמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בבאו: PREP+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:4-6 (structural): Gives the parallel account of Saul's death on Mount Gilboa (Saul falling on his sword) — the event to which the messenger in 2 Samuel 1:2 brings news.
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (structural): Related report about the aftermath (bodies of Saul and his sons retrieved and burned by the men of Jabesh-gilead); provides the wider context for the 'man from the camp' and the fate of the corpses.
- 2 Samuel 4:10 (thematic): Another episode where a man brings news of a king's death (claiming to have killed him) to David — similar motif of a messenger reporting royal deaths and seeking reward, with deadly consequences.
- Genesis 37:34 (thematic): Jacob tears his clothes and laments the loss of Joseph — parallels the mourning signs in 2 Samuel 1:2 (torn garments, dust on the head) as conventional expressions of grief.
- Job 1:20 (thematic): Job's immediate tearing of clothes, shaving his head, and falling to the ground echoes the bodily posture and mourning rites depicted in 2 Samuel 1:2 (prostration, torn garments, dust on the head).
Alternative generated candidates
- On the third day, behold, a man came out of Saul’s camp—his garments torn and dust upon his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
- And it came to pass on the third day, behold, a man came from the camp of Saul, with his clothes torn and dust on his head; and when he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
2 S.1.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אי: PRON,interrog
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ממחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נמלטתי: VERB,nif,perf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:1-6 (thematic): Narrates the battle on Mount Gilboa in which Saul and Jonathan fall — the historical event that the fleeing messenger in 2 Samuel 1:3 is reporting.
- 1 Chronicles 10:6-14 (thematic): Parallel account of Saul’s death and the defeat at Gilboa (Chronicles’ retelling of the same event), providing the broader narrative context for the messenger’s report.
- 2 Samuel 1:2-16 (verbal): Immediate narrative continuation: the survivor/messenger who ‘‘escaped from the camp of Israel’’ delivers the report of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths; shares the same vocabulary and report motif.
- 2 Samuel 18:19-27 (structural): Another episode where runners/servants come from the battlefield to David with urgent news (here about Absalom); parallels the communicative pattern of a fleeing informant reporting from the camp.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to him, “From where do you come?” He answered, “I have fled from the camp of Israel.”
- David said to him, 'Where do you come from?' And he said to him, 'I have escaped from the camp of Israel.'
2 S.1.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגד: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נס: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מן: PREP
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וגם: CONJ
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וימתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וגם: CONJ
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:2-6 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the battle with the Philistines: many Israelites fell and Saul and Jonathan were killed (same event and similar language).
- 1 Chronicles 10:2-8 (structural): Parallel retelling of Saul's last battle and death that summarizes the same facts (many fallen, Saul's defeat and death).
- 2 Samuel 1:6-10 (verbal): Immediate continuation in the same episode where the messenger expands his report, including the claim (by the Amalekite) about Saul's death.
- 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (thematic): David's lament for Saul and Jonathan is the direct emotional and literary response to the news reported in 2 Sam 1:4.
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (structural): Report of the men of Jabesh‑Gilead recovering Saul's body and performing burial rites — an immediate aftermath account tied to the same report of Saul's death.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to him, “Tell me, please, what happened.” He answered, “The people fled from the battle; many of the people fell and died. Also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.”
- David said to him, 'What happened? Tell me.' And he answered, 'The people fled from the battle; many of the people fell and died, and also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.'
2 S.1.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המגיד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- איך: ADV
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 1 Sam.31:4-6 (allusion): Original narrative of Saul’s fall on Mount Gilboa and the immediate aftermath — the earlier account that 2 Samuel’s messenger-report alludes to and retells.
- 1 Chron.10:4-6 (allusion): Chronicles’ parallel retelling of Saul’s death echoes the same details about Saul’s fall and those who found him, providing a corroborating version of the event.
- 2 Sam.1:6-10 (structural): Direct continuation of the scene: the young man answers David and gives the contested account (including the claim he killed Saul), so these verses complete the report to which 1:5 introduces the question.
- 2 Sam.1:17-27 (thematic): David’s mournful response and the elegy for Saul and Jonathan — the emotional and theological consequence of the news that 1:5 questions how the king learned.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to the youth who brought him the news, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”
- David said to the young man who told him, 'How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?'
2 S.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המגיד: VERB,piel,part,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- נקרא: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- נקריתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,sg
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגלבע: NOUN,prop,m,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשען: VERB,niphal,part,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- חניתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובעלי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הפרשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הדבקהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.31:4-6 (allusion): Original narrative of Saul’s death on Mount Gilboa (Saul falling on his own sword and the death of his sons) — parallels setting and outcome and is the primary source to which the messenger’s report relates (and partly contradicts).
- 1 Chron.10:4-5 (quotation): Chronicles’ retelling of Saul’s fall on Mount Gilboa closely parallels 1 Samuel 31 and 2 Samuel’s account — same details about Saul’s death and the flight of the army/horsemen.
- 2 Sam.1:2-10 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the Amalekite/young man’s full report of finding Saul on Mount Gilboa and his claim that Saul asked to be finished off — the extended version of the line in 1:6.
- 2 Sam.1:14-16 (thematic): David’s response (questioning and then executing the messenger who claimed to have killed Saul) is a direct thematic consequence of the messenger’s account in 1:6–10 and interacts with the truth/implications of that report.
Alternative generated candidates
- The youth who brought him the news answered, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa. Behold, Saul was leaning on his spear, and the chariots and the horsemen had pursued him.
- The young man who told him answered, 'I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear, and the chariots and the horsemen were pressing on him.'
2 S.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויראני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 3:4 (verbal): God/angel calls to Moses from the burning bush and Moses replies 'Here I am' (הנני) — similar call-and-response formula.
- Genesis 22:11 (verbal): The angel calls to Abraham (אברהם אברהם) and Abraham responds 'Here I am' (הנני), matching the brief 'he called me and said, "Here I am."' motif.
- 1 Samuel 3:4-5 (verbal): Eli calls Samuel at night and Samuel answers 'Here I am' (הנני) — another instance of someone being called and replying with הנני.
- Isaiah 6:8 (thematic): In the prophetic commissioning the voice asks 'Whom shall I send?' and Isaiah answers 'Here am I; send me' (הנני שולחני) — a thematically related response of availability.
Alternative generated candidates
- He turned behind him and saw me, called to me and said, ‘Come here.’
- When he turned about and saw me, he called to me, and said, 'Here I am.'
2 S.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עמלקי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 1:6 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same episode — the messenger's fuller report that he found Saul wounded and claimed to be an Amalekite.
- 1 Samuel 31:4-6 (allusion): Earlier account of Saul's death at Gilboa (Saul falls on his own sword); the Amalekite's claim in 2 Samuel contrasts with this version.
- 1 Samuel 15:2-3,8-9 (thematic): Command and conflict with the Amalekites (Saul ordered to destroy them) — background for identifying someone as an Amalekite and the political/theological weight of that identity.
- Exodus 17:8-16 (thematic): Earliest Israelite confrontation with Amalek and divine mandate to remember/blot out Amalek — frames the long-standing hostility invoked by the label 'Amalekite.'
- 1 Samuel 30:1-2 (thematic): Amalekite raid on Ziklag provides further narrative background of Amalekite aggression and interaction with David's circle, contextualizing the messenger's claimed identity.
Alternative generated candidates
- I said, ‘Who are you?’ He said to me, ‘I am an Amalekite.’
- And he said to me, 'Who are you?' I said to him, 'An Amalekite.'
2 S.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ומתתני: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אחזני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- השבץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- כל: DET
- עוד: ADV
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.31:4-5 (structural): Alternate account of Saul’s death: Saul falls on his sword and his armor-bearer dies with him — this account directly contrasts the Amalekite’s claim of having killed Saul.
- 2 Sam.1:10-12 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the Amalekite’s speech in which he confesses (or claims) to have slain Saul and asks David for a reward; these verses elaborate the plea found in 2 Samuel 1:9.
- 2 Sam.4:7-12 (thematic): David orders the execution of the men who murdered Ish-bosheth; parallels the theme of David dispensing justice against those who claim to have killed members of Saul’s household.
- 1 Sam.24:5-7 (thematic): David refrains from killing Saul, calling him the LORD’s anointed; provides a moral and behavioural contrast to the Amalekite’s claim and to David’s later reaction to the messenger.
- 2 Sam.1:17-27 (thematic): David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan follows the Amalekite’s report; the passionate mourning highlights the tension between the reported facts of Saul’s death and David’s response to it.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to me, ‘Stand beside me and finish me, for a mortal wound has taken hold of me while there is yet life in me.’
- And he said to me, 'Stand over me, and put me to death; for anguish has seized me, while yet my life is in me.'
2 S.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואעמד: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ואמתתהו: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- יחיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואקח: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- הנזר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואצעדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- זרעו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ואביאם: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg+obj,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- הנה: PART
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:4-6 (structural): Narrative account of Saul’s death on Mount Gilboa; provides the parallel report of Saul’s fall and the surrounding events that David’s mordant words (and the Amalekite’s claim) address.
- 1 Chronicles 10:4-6 (verbal): A retelling of 1 Samuel 31’s report of Saul’s death; echoes the same details and thus functions as a close verbal/narrative parallel to the scene described in 2 Samuel 1:10.
- 2 Samuel 4:8-12 (thematic): Rechab and Baanah kill Ish-bosheth and present his head to David as proof—a similar motif of assassins claiming credit and offering trophies (head/insignia) to the rising ruler.
- Ezekiel 21:26-27 (allusion): Prophetic image of removing a crown/diadem to signify deposition; thematically parallels the taking of Saul’s diadem/armlet as symbolic proof of his fall and of transfer of authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.”
- So I stood over him and put him to death, because I was sure he could not live after he had fallen; and I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.
2 S.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בבגדיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויקרעם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- וגם: CONJ
- כל: DET
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- Gen.37.34 (verbal): Jacob 'rent his clothes' on hearing Joseph was torn to pieces — same verb/action of tearing garments as an expression of deep mourning.
- Job.2.12 (verbal): Job’s friends 'rent their mantles' and sat with him in silence — communal ripping of clothing as an external sign of grief and solidarity.
- 1Kgs.21.27 (verbal): When Ahab heard Elijah’s oracle he 'rent his clothes' and put on sackcloth — royal/official tearing of garments in response to calamity or divine judgment.
- Esther.4.1 (thematic): Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes after Haman's decree — public/national mourning and protest through tearing garments.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then David took hold of his robe and tore it; and likewise all the men who were with him tore their robes.
- Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and likewise all the men who were with him.
2 S.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויספדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויצמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- יהונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- עם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (verbal): Parallel account of the aftermath of Saul and his sons’ deaths — the men of Jabesh-gilead recover the bodies, burn them, and fast/mourn (both passages record communal mourning and fasting).
- 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: David’s formal lament (the 'Song of the Bow') expands and personalizes the mourning named in v.12, mourning Saul and Jonathan with poetic lament.
- 2 Samuel 3:31-39 (thematic): Another episode of public mourning over a slain leader (Abner): David’s weeping, public lament, and covenant-language echo the communal expressions of grief and political fallout seen in 2 Sam 1:12.
- 1 Chronicles 10:12-14 (allusion): Chronicles’ retelling of Saul’s death connects to 2 Sam 1:12 thematically (Saul fell by the sword) and gives a theological explanation for his end, linking the event commemorated by mourning to its cause.
Alternative generated candidates
- They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
- They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
2 S.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המגיד: PART,qal,act,m,sg,def
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אי: PRON,interrog
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמלקי: ADJ,m,sg
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:4-6 (verbal): Gives the account of Saul's death (Saul falling on his sword); the Amalekite's later claim to have killed Saul in 2 Samuel 1 contradicts this earlier account.
- 2 Samuel 1:14-16 (structural): Immediate narrative sequel: David confronts and executes the man who claimed to have killed Saul—this verse (1:13) is the identifying question that leads into that confession and its consequences.
- 1 Samuel 30:1-20 (thematic): Describes earlier conflict with the Amalekites (attack on Ziklag) and David's dealings with them; provides background for the presence and role of an 'Amalekite' in the narrative.
- Exodus 17:8-16 (thematic): Earliest recorded Israel–Amalek conflict (battle at Rephidim) and Yahweh's opposition to Amalek; frames the longstanding enmity and theological context for Israel's hostile encounters with Amalekites.
- Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (thematic): Charges Israel to remember Amalek's attack and to blot out their memory—legal/ethical background that helps explain the narrative impulse toward retribution against Amalekites in the Deuteronomistic history.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to the man who brought him the news, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.”
- David said to the young man who told him, 'From where are you?' And the young man answered, 'I am the son of a foreign resident, an Amalekite.'
2 S.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- איך: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- יראת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- לשלח: VERB,qal,inf
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- לשחת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- משיח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:6 (verbal): David says he will not stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed—near‑identical wording and same cave episode where Saul could have been killed.
- 1 Samuel 26:9-11 (verbal): David again rebukes the suggestion to kill Saul, using the same rationale and language about not attacking the LORD’s anointed (parallel situation, different cave/encounter).
- Psalm 105:15 (quotation): “Touch not my anointed ones” (or similar in English translations) expresses the same divine protection of the king/prophetic anointed; a theological background to David’s refusal to harm Saul.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”
- David said to him, 'How were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?'
2 S.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאחד: PREP
- מהנערים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- גש: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- פגע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויכהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Sam.4:9-12 (structural): David orders the execution of the two men (Rechab and Baanah) who murdered Ish-bosheth — a parallel case where David metes out capital punishment for a reported killing of a royal rival, echoing the pattern of summary justice in 2 Sam 1:15.
- 1 Sam.26:9-11 (thematic): David refuses to kill Saul (the LORD’s anointed) earlier in the narrative and reproves those who would harm him — provides a moral/theological contrast to the killing in 2 Sam 1:15 and explains David’s attitude toward the Amalekite’s report.
- 1 Sam.31:4-6 (allusion): The account of Saul’s death (Saul falling on his sword) is the tradition that the Amalekite claims to have interrupted; 2 Sam 1:15 is David’s response to the Amalekite’s admission about Saul’s end.
- 2 Sam.1:10 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel — the Amalekite’s confession that he struck Saul (2 Sam 1:10) directly leads to David’s command in 1:15 to kill the messenger, linking the report and its fatal consequence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go, strike him down.” So he struck him down, and he died.
- Then David called one of the young men and said, 'Come here, strike him down.' So the young man struck him down and he died.
2 S.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דמך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ראשך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- כי: CONJ
- פיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- משיח: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:6 (verbal): David refrains from killing Saul and twice calls him 'the LORD's anointed'—direct verbal parallel to the phrase משיח יהוה (the LORD's anointed) in 2 Sam 1:16.
- 1 Samuel 26:9–11 (verbal): David again refuses to attack Saul, asking who can stretch out a hand against 'the LORD's anointed'—same motif and language of protecting God's anointed.
- 2 Samuel 1:14–15 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the Amalekite's confession that he killed Saul (v.14) and David's rebuke (v.15) lead directly into v.16's declaration that the man's own words condemn him.
- 1 Chronicles 10:4–6 (thematic): Parallel account of Saul's defeat and death on Mount Gilboa; thematically linked as an alternative report of Saul's end against which the Amalekite's claim is judged.
- Psalm 2:2 (thematic): Uses the concept of 'the Anointed' (מְשִׁיחוֹ) in a royal/messianic context; thematically related to the reverence and protection due to God's anointed ruler.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I myself killed the LORD’s anointed.’”
- David said to him, 'Your blood be on your own head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, "I have killed the LORD's anointed."'
It came to pass after the death of Saul that David returned from striking the Amalekites; and David stayed in Ziklag two days.
On the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp with his garments torn and dust upon his head; and when he came to David he fell to the earth and prostrated himself.
David said to him, 'From where do you come?' And he replied, 'I have fled from the camp of Israel.'
David said to him, 'What happened? Tell me.' He answered, 'The people fled from the battle; many of the people fell and died; and also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.'
Then David said to the young man who told him, 'How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?'
The young man who told him replied, 'I happened to be on Mount Gilboa; behold, Saul was leaning on his spear, and the chariots and horsemen were pressing upon him.'
He turned around and saw me and called to me; and I answered, 'Here I am.'
He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'
He said to me, 'Stand over me and kill me, for anguish has seized me — yet my life is still in me.' So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen; and I took the diadem that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and I brought them to my lord.
Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and likewise all the men who were with him.
They bewailed and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
David said to the young man who told him, 'From where are you?' And the young man said, 'I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.'
David said to him, 'How were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?'
Then David called one of the young men and said, 'Go, strike him down.' So the young man struck him and he died.
David said to him, 'Your blood be on your head,' for your mouth testified against you, saying, 'I have slain the LORD's anointed.'