II Samuel Chapter 1
Please read: II Samuel 1 –
The reign of David was about 1010 to 970 B.C. With the years running backwards it makes it a bit easier to calculate how long David was on the throne. It would seem that David would have rejoiced that Saul was gone, but the Bible says that when he got the news he mourned, and he even wrote a song about it called “The Song of the Bow,” which is found in verses 19-27. David truly was saddened by the death of King Saul and his three sons. David recognized and respected Saul as God’s anointed.
At the time David received the news, he and his men and their families had just returned to Ziklag inside Philistine territory. They returned to see if there was anything left of their town after the Amalekites had set it on fire. The news came from the camp of Saul, a man came with clothes torn and dirt on his head. This was a sure sign that something tragic happened, someone had died. David knew instinctively that he was to receive really bad news.
Let's Reflect
1. The man that brought the news was not able to share a story of victory over the Philistines, instead it was one of great defeat. What did he report to David about the armies of Saul?
2. Wanting to get the details correct, David further questioned the man about the deaths of Saul and his sons. David asked him what question?
3. This man was of Amalekite nationality and had just admitted to killing the king. This account does not match the account from the previous chapter where we learned that Saul was struck with arrows then fell on his own sword to end his life more quickly. His own armor-bearer took his own life after seeing that Saul was dead. We are not told why this man made up this part of the story. What did he say was pierced through Saul’s body? Perhaps Saul was still alive when this man found him, but it seems unlikely. This more than likely, was someone hoping to gain glory and a position for himself as he carried the crown and the armlet to David.
4. What David did next was mourn and fast for the life of Saul and his sons. It also seems that he thought more about the story brought by the man who came from Saul’s camp. He again questioned the man. What did David order his men to do to this news-bearer?
5. As David lamented over Saul and his sons’ deaths, he wrote a song. David must have returned to playing his instrument. What did David want people to do with his song?
6. As you read the song, are there any words that indicate that David was happy that Saul’s life had been taken?
7. The death of Jonathan was extremely difficult for David. He was his best friend. In verse 26 what did David call Jonathan?
