Explanation: 2 Samuel 1 records David's lamentation for Saul. After Saul died, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed two days in Ziklag. On the third day an Amalekite came bearing news of the death of Saul and Jonathan. The man claimed to have finished Saul at his request when Saul failed to kill himself by falling on his "chaniyth," (translated "spear"). [But the account in 1 Samuel 31 uses the word "chereb," (translated "sword"); but this is the general word for "a cutting instrument," whether it is a tool or an instrument of destruction such as a sword, a knife, or another sharp instrument. So there is not necessarily a contradiction between the account in 1 Samuel and the Amalekite's account in 2 Samuel]. The Amalekite brought Saul's crown and bracelet as proof of Saul's death. Many commentators consider his story a lie, though some find it plausible. I take it to be true since Saul may not have died instantly after falling on his sword (or spear), and because it fit's Saul's way of doing things (as in his use of Doeg the Edomite to kill the priests when the rest of his men found it abhorrent). Also, it should be noted, that the young man had an opportunity, brief though it was, to declare that his account was a lie, if it had been a lie, and to beg for mercy. Accordingly, I have taken his word to be true, and I have provided a blended account below. In the version I've provided, the Amalekite kills Saul after Saul's botched attempt at suicide. When the armourbearer sees that Saul is dead (at the hand of the Amalekite), he too falls on his own sword (or spear) and dies. The Amalekite then takes Saul's crown and bracelet and flees to David (1-10).
     Upon hearing of the death of Saul, David and his men tore their clothes and went into mourning. And David asked the Amalekite why he was not afraid to stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed. He therefore had him executed. As I have noted, If the man had been lying, it would seem that the threat of imminent death would have torn the truth out of him (11-16).
     Then David lamented over Saul and Jonathan, designating it as a memorial song to be taught to the children of Judah. He began by saying that the beauty of Israel had been slain on the mountains and wishing that the news would not be heard among the Philistines in Gath and Askelon (17-20).
     He wishes that on Mount Gilboa, where Saul and his sons died, there would be neither dew, nor rain, nor fruit, and that the land itself might mourn (21).
     He recounts the success of Saul and Jonathan in war (22).
     He says that as they were united in life, so they were united in death, though they were swifter than eagles and stronger than lions (23).
     He calls on the daughters of Israel to weep over Saul who clothed them in scarlet and other delights and adorned them with gold (24).
     He asks, "How are the mighty fallen" (25).
     He expresses his personal distress for the death of Jonathan and acknowledges Jonathan's great love for him (26).
     He closes with the plaint, " How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished?" (27).
     [ Sermons: William W Goligher. Derek Thomas. Various. ]
     [ Illustration: Today's image depicts the moment in which David received news of Saul's death, as recounted at the beginning of the chapter. ]

     ^{1 Samuel 31:5-7} | ⁵ And when his armourbearer [one bearing his gear] saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. ⁶ So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer [one bearing his gear], and all his men, that same day together. ⁷ And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

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