2 Samuel 1 Explained – A 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 1 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

CHARACTERS:

• David – The future 2nd king of Israel. He had been living amongst the Philistines at Ziklag, to avoid Saul, who had attempted to kill him many times.

• Saul – The 1st king of Israel. He ruled Israel for 40 years before being killed by the Philistines (1 Sam 31).

• Jonathan – The son of Saul and the best friend of David.

• Amalekite Man – A young Amalekite man who brought the news of Saul’s death to David from the battlefield.

WHERE:

• David and his family lived in Ziklag.

• Saul and his sons were killed at Mount Gilboa.

OUTLINE:

• INTRODUCTION:

  • 2 Samuel is a continuation of 1 Samuel.

  • The last chapter of 1 Samuel recorded the death of king Saul and his sons.

  • The first chapter of 2 Samuel returns to David’s story, immediately after he saved his family from the Amalekite raiders who kidnapped them (1 Samuel 30). 

• THE DEATH OF SAUL IS REPORTED TO DAVID (1:1-16):

  • After saving his family from the Amalekites, David stayed at his home in Ziklag for two days.

  • On the third day, a young man from Saul’s camp came to the city and reported the results of the battle between Israel and the Philistines (1 Sam 31).

  • He told David that Saul and his sons had been killed, and that he had assisted Saul in killing himself after he was mortally wounded on the battlefield.

  • The man was in possession of Saul’s crown and armlet, and he gave them to David.

  • David tore his clothes, and all his men wept for Saul, his sons, and the Israelites who had fallen in battle.

  • David was angry with the young man who reported Saul’s death. He considered it a great evil that he had killed “the Lord’s anointed.”

  • David had the young man executed.

• DAVID’S LAMENT FOR SAUL AND JONATHAN (1:17-27):

  • David wrote a lament about Saul and Jonathan and taught it to people of Judah.

  • He lamented the mighty men of Israel who were killed.

  • “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!”

  • He spoke fondly of Saul and Jonathan.

  • “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.” 

  • He expressed his distress over his lost friendship.

  • “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.”

APPLICATION:

• God doesn’t always express His approval or disapproval of actions recorded in the Old Testament.

• Was it right for David to have the young man, who brought him the news of Saul’s death, executed?

• The Bible doesn’t speak to the right vs wrong of the situation, it simply records the history.

• In the Old Testament, you’ll encounter other instances where history is recorded, but no statement about the morality of the situation is included.