David Learns of Saul’s Death
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It was the third day since David and his warriors returned to Ziklag.
As they labored to restore their ruined homes, they watched with anxious hearts for tidings of the battle which they knew must have been fought between Israel and the Philistines. Suddenly a messenger entered the town, ‘with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head.’ He was at once brought to David, before whom he bowed with reverence, expressing recognition of him as a powerful prince, whose favor he desired.” “The messenger was an Amalekite . . . , of the same race as the people who had attacked the camp of David and whom David had recently smitten (1 Sam. 30:1, 17, 18). . . . His act of obeisance was presumably in recognition of David’s new position as leader in Israel.” The messenger stated Saul and his sons were dead.
David wanted confirmation. “How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?” (2 Samuel 1:5). The messenger explained, “As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 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. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen” (vv. 6–10). “The story of the young man does not agree with the account of Saul’s death found in 1 Sam. 31:3–6. . . . The Amalekite invented his tale for the purpose of securing a reward, thinking that his alleged deed would be highly acclaimed by David.” “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).
