2 Samuel 1:10 kjv

So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

2 Samuel 1:10 nkjv

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

2 Samuel 1:10 niv

"So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord."

2 Samuel 1:10 esv

So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And 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 nlt

"So I killed him," the Amalekite told David, "for I knew he couldn't live. Then I took his crown and his armband, and I have brought them here to you, my lord."

2 Samuel 1 verses

2 Samuel 1 10 Meaning

This verse contains the Amalekite's false testimony to David concerning the death of King Saul. The Amalekite claims he found Saul mortally wounded after he had fallen in battle on Mount Gilboa. Seeing Saul in agony and recognizing he could not recover, the Amalekite alleges he mercifully put him to death. As proof of his deed and as tokens of royalty, he states he took Saul's crown and armband from the fallen king and presented them to David. His intent was to curry favor and receive a reward from David for eliminating his rival, King Saul, a claim which later proves to be a fabrication (cf. 1 Sam 31:4-6).

2 Samuel 1 10 Context

The narrative of 2 Samuel 1 immediately follows the account of Saul's defeat and death at the hands of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa (1 Sam 31). David, who had been in Ziklag recovering from an Amalekite raid (1 Sam 30), receives news of the battle. This verse is part of the testimony given by an Amalekite man who comes from the battle line with torn clothes and dirt on his head, traditional signs of mourning and distress. The Amalekite is providing a detailed, first-person account of Saul's death, which dramatically differs from the historical record in 1 Samuel 31. His fabrication of Saul's death is a calculated move to present himself as the one who "finished off" David's perceived rival, expecting to be rewarded by the soon-to-be king. This episode establishes David's character, particularly his deep reverence for God's anointed, contrasting sharply with the Amalekite's opportunistic treachery and disregard for the sacredness of kingship.

2 Samuel 1 10 Word analysis

• So I stood over him (וָאֶעְמֹד עָלָיו, va'a'amod 'alav):
  • va'a'amod: "And I stood." Implies immediacy and being positioned directly above or next to the individual. It suggests a deliberate, controlled action, not a panicked reaction.
  • 'alav: "over him." Denotes a dominant or decisive stance, emphasizing his alleged proximity and power in the moment.
  • Significance: This phrase frames the Amalekite's role as an active agent, poised for a crucial intervention.
• and killed him (וָאֲמִיתֵהוּ, va'amitēhu):
  • va'amitēhu: "and I put him to death" or "and I caused him to die." A definitive action verb, asserting his direct culpability in Saul's demise.
  • Significance: This is the central, false claim of the narrative, designed to establish his merit with David.
• because I knew (כִּי יָדַעְתִּי, ki yada'ti):
  • ki: "because," introduces the justification.
  • yada'ti: "I knew." Expresses certainty or clear understanding.
  • Significance: The Amalekite attempts to provide rational grounds for his actions, framing it as a compassionate or pragmatic necessity based on his perception of Saul's state.
• that he could not live (כִּי לֹא יִחְיֶה, ki lo yihyeh):
  • lo yihyeh: "not he will live." Indicates a certainty of impending death, portraying Saul as beyond recovery.
  • Significance: Part of the fabricated justification for the "mercy killing." He emphasizes the hopelessness of Saul's situation.
• after he had fallen (אַחֲרֵי נִפְּלוֹ, acharei nipplo):
  • acharei: "after."
  • nipplo: "his falling" or "he had fallen." Refers to Saul having already succumbed to his injuries from battle or his own sword, preceding the Amalekite's claimed intervention.
  • Significance: This detail connects his intervention to Saul's prior, existing wounds, suggesting he merely expedited the inevitable, making his alleged action seem less egregious.
• and I took (וָאֶקַּח, va'eqqaḥ):
  • va'eqqaḥ: "and I took." A simple, direct verb for appropriation.
  • Significance: Signifies the acquisition of valuable evidence and spoils, cementing the legitimacy of his story and his claimed role.
• the crown (הַנֵּזֶר, hannezer):
  • hannezer: "the diadem" or "the consecration/dedication." While often used for a crown, especially a king's, nezer fundamentally signifies something "set apart" or "consecrated." It is used for the Nazirite's consecrated hair (Num 6:7) and the high priest's consecrated plate (Exod 29:6).
  • Significance: Beyond a mere ornamental crown, this term might hint at the divine aspect of kingship. Taking hannezer is to symbolically take the consecrated power, portraying the Amalekite as an agent of transferring kingship. It is a potent symbol of Saul's office as "the Lord's anointed."
• that was on his head (עַל רֹאשׁוֹ, 'al ro'sho):
  • ro'sho: "his head." The primary place for a crown.
  • Significance: A straightforward geographical identifier, yet it anchors the crown's origin directly to the deceased king.
• and the armband (הָאֶצְעָדָה, ha'ets'adah):
  • ha'ets'adah: "the armlet" or "bracelet." A large, often ornamental bracelet worn by kings or high-ranking individuals as a mark of royalty or power.
  • Significance: Another distinct item of royal regalia, corroborating the status of the deceased and reinforcing the Amalekite's claim of having dealt with the king. Together with the crown, these items were indispensable proof.
• that was on his arm (עַל זְרֹעוֹ, 'al zero'o):
  • zero'o: "his arm." The typical location for an armlet.
  • Significance: Provides further authenticating detail, demonstrating the Amalekite's claimed presence at the site and access to Saul's person.
• and I brought them (וָאֲבִאֵם, va'avi'em):
  • va'avi'em: "and I brought them." Indicates a purposeful conveyance.
  • Significance: This action confirms his intent to deliver these symbols of power to David as proof and as an offering.
• to my lord here (אֶל אֲדֹנִי הֵנָּה, el adoni henna):
  • adoni: "my lord." A deferential title, demonstrating professed loyalty and submission to David.
  • henna: "here." Physically indicating his presence before David.
  • Significance: Reveals his core motivation: seeking favor, recognition, and reward from the new leader, David, by presenting the tokens of the previous reign's end.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen": This entire phrase presents a self-serving justification. The Amalekite paints himself as an executor of a desperate fate rather than a cold-blooded opportunist. The detail about knowing Saul's inescapable death attempts to elevate his act to one of mercy, rather than murder or theft.
• "and I took the crown... and the armband... and I brought them to my lord here": This phrase details the tangible evidence the Amalekite presents to legitimize his story and confirm Saul's death. The royal regalia were symbols of the transfer of kingship, and their delivery to David was intended as a grand gesture of allegiance and a claim for recognition for a monumental service. This act represents the culmination of his opportunism, the visible fruits of his fabricated valor, aimed directly at David's self-interest (or so the Amalekite assumed).

2 Samuel 1 10 Bonus section

The Amalekite's identity adds layers of ironic depth to this account. Amalekites were perpetual enemies of Israel, whom God commanded to utterly destroy (Exod 17:14, Deut 25:19). Saul himself was given the specific divine mandate to wipe out the Amalekites but famously failed to fully obey, sparing their king Agag and the best of their livestock (1 Sam 15). Therefore, for an Amalekite to claim credit for Saul's death—the king who had previously failed in his God-given mission to eliminate the Amalekites—creates a profound sense of poetic justice or divine irony. It serves as a stark reminder of the long-standing animosity between Israel and Amalek, and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. Furthermore, the nezer (crown) signifying something 'set apart' or 'consecrated' emphasizes the Amalekite's profaning of divine authority in Saul's person by his very claim. His eagerness to strip and exploit the symbol of divine anointing reflects his total lack of reverence.

2 Samuel 1 10 Commentary

2 Samuel 1:10 is a pivotal verse, serving as the Amalekite's false testimony that sets the stage for David's reaction to Saul's death. The detailed, yet deceitful, account highlights the Amalekite's opportunism and deep misunderstanding of David's character and the divine nature of Israelite kingship. By claiming he delivered a mercy killing and presenting the crown (hannezer) and armband (ha'ets'adah), the Amalekite believed he was fulfilling a critical service for David, removing a rival and transferring symbols of authority. However, his actions betray a profound disregard for the "Lord's anointed," an office that David held in sacred reverence, regardless of his personal conflict with Saul. The Amalekite's motivation was selfish ambition, rooted in a secular view of power transition, rather than divine appointment. This mercenary attempt to gain favor backfires dramatically, as David views his claim of killing God's chosen king as an unspeakable sin, deserving of immediate capital punishment, demonstrating David's consistent honor for the divine authority of kingship. This scene also foreshadows the future consequences of deceptive counsel and actions throughout David's reign.