2 Samuel 1:10

10 So I stood over him, and killed him, for I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord."

2 Samuel 1:10 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 1:10

So I stood upon him, and slew him
Pressed with all his weight upon his body, that so the spear might pierce through him, and slay him; thus he represents his death to be brought about:

because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen;
this is not consistent with what he had said before, both that he was leaning on his spear, and not fallen to the ground, and that his life was whole in him:

and I took the crown that [was] upon his head;
which made him conspicuous, and therefore the Philistines aimed at him, and pressed hard after him, ( 2 Samuel 1:6 ) ; though some think that this was not on his head, but carried into the field of battle, ready to be put on if victory was on his side; and others say it was in the possession and care of Doeg, who at his death gave it to his son to carry to David, and thereby gain his favour:

and the bracelet that [was] on his arm;
of gold no doubt, so Josephus {i}; such as great personages used to wear, men as well as women, see ( Genesis 38:18 ) ( Ezekiel 23:42 ) , especially military men F11. Jarchi takes them to be the "totaphot" or phylacteries on the arm, which is not probable:

and have brought them hither unto my lord;
as ensigns of royalty, fit only for a king, Saul's successor, as this person, by calling him lord, owned him to be, and thought by bringing those to him to be highly he neared and rewarded.


FOOTNOTES:

F9 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 6. c. 14. sect. 7.)
F11 Vid. Liv. Hist. Decad. 1. l. 10. c. 44.

2 Samuel 1:10 In-Context

8 And he said to me, "Who are you?' I answered him, "I am an Amalekite.'
9 He said to me, "Come, stand over me and kill me; for convulsions have seized me, and yet my life still lingers.'
10 So I stood over him, and killed him, for I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord."
11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did the same.
12 They mourned and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.