2 Samuel 1:1

David Learns of Saul's Death

1 Now it came about after ¹the death of Saul, when David had returned from ²the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David remained two days in Ziklag.

2 Samuel 1:1 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 1:1

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul
The third day after, as appears from the next verse:

when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites;
as related in ( 1 Samuel 30:17 ) ;

and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
which, though fired by the Amalekites, was not utterly consumed, but there was still some convenience for the lodging of David and his men; within this time he sent his presents to several places in the tribe of Judah, of which mention is made in the chapter before quoted, and at the same time it was that so many mighty men came to him from several tribes spoken of in ( 1 Chronicles 12:1-40 ) .

2 Samuel 1:1 In-Context

1 Now it came about after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David remained two days in Ziklag.

2 On the third day, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and dust on his head. And it came about when he came to David that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.

3 Then David said to him, "From where do you come?" And he said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel."

4 David said to him, "How did things go? Please tell me." And he said, "The people have fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also."

5 So David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 31:6
• 2. 1 Sam 30:1, 17, 26