2 Samuel 1:8 kjv

And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

2 Samuel 1:8 nkjv

And he said to me, 'Who are you?' So I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'

2 Samuel 1:8 niv

"He asked me, 'Who are you?' "?'An Amalekite,' I answered.

2 Samuel 1:8 esv

And he said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'

2 Samuel 1:8 nlt

"He responded, 'Who are you?' "'I am an Amalekite,' I told him.

2 Samuel 1 verses

2 Samuel 1 8 Meaning

The verse describes David's direct question to the messenger about his identity, to which the man replied, confirming himself as an Amalekite. This self-identification is a critical moment in the narrative, given the long and conflicted history between Israel and the Amalekites, establishing a context of deep historical and spiritual tension.

2 Samuel 1 8 Context

The verse occurs immediately after an Amalekite man arrives before David in Ziklag, bringing the dramatic and somber news of Saul's death in battle against the Philistines. The messenger is identifiable by his torn clothes and dirt on his head, symbols of mourning and distress. David's direct questioning of his identity ("Who are you?") is the initial step in verifying the messenger and his astonishing claim, leading to the pivotal declaration by the Amalekite himself.

Historically, this event marks the end of King Saul's reign and sets the stage for David's ascendancy. It takes place in the aftermath of Israel's defeat at Mount Gilboa (1 Sam 31). The broader biblical context is profoundly significant: Saul's reign was severely marred by his disobedience concerning the complete destruction of the Amalekites, as commanded by God through Samuel (1 Sam 15). An Amalekite now claims responsibility, in part or whole, for Saul's demise, introducing layers of irony, divine justice, and theological complexity that profoundly influence David's reaction.

2 Samuel 1 8 Word analysis

• And he said to me: This initiates a direct dialogue, revealing David's authoritative questioning of the newly arrived messenger. It is the beginning of David's investigative process regarding the monumental news presented to him.

• 'Who are you?': David's immediate query focuses on the messenger's identity and origin. This question is crucial for David, not just for personal recognition but likely to assess the credibility and context of the shocking news delivered by this distressed individual. It indicates a discerning approach to a report of immense national consequence.

• And I answered him: The messenger's direct response, indicating compliance and openness to David's inquiry.

• 'I am an Amalekite.':

  • Amalekite (עֲמָלֵקִי - Amaleqi): This is a critical ethnic and national identifier. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau (Gen 36:12). More significantly, they were a nomadic people who became a perpetual enemy of Israel, first attacking the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt (Exod 17:8-16). God commanded Israel to remember and ultimately blot out the memory of Amalek due to their unprovoked aggression against a weary Israel (Deut 25:17-19). This was a divine judgment.
  • Significance: The Amalekite's declaration of identity carries immense theological and historical weight for a number of reasons:
    1. Long-Standing Enemy: By identifying himself, the messenger places himself as a member of a nation specifically cursed by God and commanded to be destroyed by Israel.
    2. Saul's Disobedience: Saul lost his kingship precisely because he failed to utterly destroy the Amalekites as God commanded (1 Sam 15). The profound irony here is that the man claiming to be instrumental in Saul's death is from the very people Saul failed to eradicate. This highlights the severe consequences of disobedience to God's clear commands.
    3. David's Knowledge: David would have been acutely aware of the history and divine mandate concerning the Amalekites. Just prior to this event, David himself had raided and recovered spoils from Amalekites who had attacked Ziklag (1 Sam 30). This deep-seated animosity would immediately frame David's perception and judgment of the messenger.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Who are you?": This straightforward question is pregnant with investigative intent. It signals David's need to understand the source and motive behind the devastating news, knowing that context would influence his reaction to the message.
  • "I am an Amalekite.": This self-identification, particularly in its concise and direct form, functions as a powerful revelation that changes the dynamic of the entire encounter. It directly connects the messenger to Israel's ancient spiritual enemy and, tragically, to the very people Saul was commanded to utterly destroy. This declaration sets the stage for David's decisive actions based on both his understanding of God's commands and his reverence for the Lord's anointed king.

2 Samuel 1 8 Bonus section

The exact veracity of the Amalekite's narrative is highly debated among biblical scholars. The account in 1 Samuel 31 states unequivocally that Saul fell on his own sword after his armor-bearer refused to kill him. This discrepancy suggests that the Amalekite either found Saul already dead or mortally wounded and exaggerated his role to seek reward or recognition from David, who was Saul's appointed successor. David's judgment of the Amalekite (2 Sam 1:13-16) stems not from verifying the truth of his blow against Saul, but from the Amalekite's own confession of "stretching out his hand against the LORD’s anointed." This demonstrates David's steadfast commitment to respecting the divine appointment of a king, regardless of personal feelings towards Saul, thus upholding God's established order.

2 Samuel 1 8 Commentary

2 Samuel 1:8, though brief, is a moment of profound revelation and irony in the unfolding biblical narrative. The Amalekite's declaration of his identity is not a casual detail but a central element shaping the entire episode. To David, hearing "I am an Amalekite" would have immediately brought to mind the history of their relentless hostility towards Israel (Exod 17) and, critically, Saul's own direct, unfulfilled divine mandate concerning their complete destruction (1 Sam 15). Saul's failure in this regard was a pivotal point leading to God's rejection of him as king. Now, an individual from this very proscribed nation presents himself as having participated in the death of the king who was meant to destroy them.

While the Amalekite's account of striking Saul may have been an opportunistic fabrication, intended to gain favor or reward from David by presenting himself as one who 'avenged' Israel's defeated king, his confessed identity ultimately sealed his doom. David's response (vv. 13-16) reflects his profound reverence for God's anointed and his understanding of divine justice, not necessarily a personal vendetta against an individual Amalekite. The irony serves to underscore the tragic consequences of Saul's disobedience and God's sovereign hand, even amidst human machinations and conflicts. It highlights that God's justice will ultimately prevail, even using unexpected channels to fulfill His purposes.