Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
2 Samuel Ch.1 / 24 Ch.s
2SA:1
** This book is the history of the reign of king David. It
relates his victories, the growth of the prosperity of Israel,
and his reformation of the state of religion. With these events
are recorded the grievous sins he committed, and the family as
well as public troubles with which he was punished. We here meet
with many things worthy of imitation, and many that are written
for our warning. The history of king David is given in Scripture
with much faithfulness, and from it he appears, to those who
fairly balance his many virtues and excellent qualities against
his faults, to have been a great and good man.
* Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul. (1-10) The
Amalekite is put to death. (11-16) David's lamentation for Saul
and Jonathan. (17-27)
#1-10 The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given
about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit
their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It
shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient
to come to the throne.
#11-16 David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with
him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily
upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings,
David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein
did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he
did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to
David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that
sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed
himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own
private interest.
#17-27 Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this
mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he
was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was
a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to
each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him
was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people,
that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest
friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of
his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever
advantages they may obtain by them.