📖 2 Samuel — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Samuel 1:1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, Rwhen David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2 Samuel 1:2 It came even to pass on Rthe 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.
2 Samuel 1:3 And David said unto him, RFrom whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
2 Samuel 1:4 And David said unto him, RTHow 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.
2 Samuel 1:5 And David said unto the young man that told him, RHow knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
2 Samuel 1:6 And the young man that told him said, RAs I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
2 Samuel 1:7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, RTHere am I.
2 Samuel 1:8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am Ran Amalekite.
2 Samuel 1:9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for Tanguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
2 Samuel 1:10 So I stood upon him, and Rslew 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.
2 Samuel 1:11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and Rrent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
2 Samuel 1:12 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.
2 Samuel 1:13 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.
2 Samuel 1:14 And David said unto him, RHow wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?
2 Samuel 1:15 And David called one of the young men, and said, RGo near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
2 Samuel 1:16 And David said unto him, RThy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.
2 Samuel 1:17 And David Rlamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
2 Samuel 1:18 (Also he bade them Rteach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book Tof Jasher.)
2 Samuel 1:19 The Rbeauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
2 Samuel 1:20 RTell 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.
2 Samuel 1:21 Ye Rmountains 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.
2 Samuel 1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Rthe bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
2 Samuel 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and RTpleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
2 Samuel 1:24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
2 Samuel 1:25 RHow are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
2 Samuel 1:26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Rthy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
2 Samuel 1:27 RHow are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 1:1–10 — News from the battlefield
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A messenger brings David news that Saul and Jonathan have died. He claims to have killed Saul and presents Saul’s crown and bracelet. Treat this as the messenger’s account: 1 Samuel 31:4 records Saul falling on his own sword. The two accounts should not be silently blended into one story.
Key Truth: Read a speaker’s claim carefully alongside the surrounding Scripture.
Check What You Remember
1. Where had David stayed for two days? (2 Samuel 1:1)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:1 (KJV).
2. Who died along with Saul, according to the messenger? (2 Samuel 1:4)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:4 (KJV).
3. What did the messenger take from Saul’s head? (2 Samuel 1:10)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 1:11–16 — David mourns and judges the messenger
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David and his men mourn Saul, Jonathan, and Israel’s fallen people. David holds the messenger accountable for his own claim that he killed the LORD’s anointed. David’s response shows grief rather than celebration over the death of the king who had pursued him. This ancient royal judgment is not permission for readers to carry out personal vengeance.
Key Truth: Another person’s downfall need not become our celebration.
Check What You Remember
1. What did David tear when he heard the news? (2 Samuel 1:11)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:11 (KJV).
2. Until what time did David’s men mourn and fast? (2 Samuel 1:12)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:12 (KJV).
3. Who does David say the messenger claimed to have slain? (2 Samuel 1:16)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 1:17–27 — A lament for Saul and Jonathan
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David’s lament honors the fallen and expresses his deep grief for Jonathan. The repeated cry about the mighty falling keeps the focus on loss. David remembers Jonathan’s faithful love and friendship, and calls Israel to mourn. His lament does not erase Saul’s wrongdoing; it shows that grief can recognize what has been lost without retelling every failure.
Key Truth: Faithful friendship and shared loss deserve thoughtful remembrance.
Check What You Remember
1. Over which two men did David lament? (2 Samuel 1:17)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:17 (KJV).
2. Which mountains are named in the lament? (2 Samuel 1:21)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:21 (KJV).
3. Whom does David call his brother in his expression of distress? (2 Samuel 1:26)
Find it in 2 Samuel 1:26 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 31:4 — This earlier account explains why the messenger’s claim must be read with care.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How do you respond when someone who has hurt you suffers a loss? Consider David’s grief, then ask God to help you speak truthfully and respond without delighting in another person’s pain.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What distinction should be kept when reading the messenger’s account of Saul’s death?
2. How does David’s immediate response differ from celebrating a rival’s death?
3. What principle does David invoke in questioning the messenger?
4. Why does the lament say not to tell the news in Gath and Askelon?
5. How does David describe Saul and Jonathan together despite the tragedy?
Notes
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