2 Samuel – Chapter 1

Old Testament27 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 1 of 2 Samuel begins: "Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days in Siceleg." The chapter centers on David, Saul and Jonathan. Across its 27 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and love and charity. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days in Siceleg.

2And on the third day, there appeared a man who came out of Saul's camp, with his garments rent, and dust strewed on his head: and when he came to David, he fell upon his face, and adored.

3And David said to him: From whence comest thou? And he said to him: I am fled out of the camp of Israel.

4And David said unto him: What is the matter that is come to pass? tell me: He said: The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people are fallen and dead: moreover Saul and Jonathan his son are slain.

5And David said to the young man that told him: How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son, are dead?

6And the young man that told him, said: I came by chance upon mount Gelboe, and Saul leaned upon his spear: and the chariots and horsemen drew nigh unto him,

7And looking behind him, and seeing me, he called me. And I answered, Here am I.

8And he said to me: Who art thou? And I said to him: I am an Amalecite.

9And he said to me: Stand over me, and kill me: for anguish is come upon me, and as yet my whole life is in me.

10So standing over him, I killed him: for I knew that he could not live after the fall: and I took the diadem that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither to thee, my lord.

11Then David took hold of his garments and rent them, and likewise all the men that were with him.

12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel, because they were fallen by the sword.

13And David said to the young man that told him: Whence art thou? He answered: I am the son of a stranger of Amalec.

14David said to him: Why didst thou not fear to put out thy hand to kill the Lord's anointed?

15And David calling one of his servants, said: Go near and fall upon him. And he struck him so that he died.

16And David said to him: Thy blood be upon thy own head: for thy own mouth hath spoken against thee, saying: I have slain the Lord's anointed.

17And David made this kind of lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son.

18(Also he commanded that they should teach the children of Juda the use of the bow, as it is written in the book of the just.) And he said: Consider, O Israel, for them that are dead, wounded on thy high places.

19The illustrious of Israel are slain upon thy mountains: how are the valiant fallen?

20Tell it not in Geth, publish it not in the streets of Ascalon: lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21Ye mountains of Gelboe, let neither dew, nor rain come upon you, neither be they fields of firstfruits: for there was cast away the shield of the valiant, the shield of Saul as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the valiant, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

23Saul and Jonathan, lovely, and comely in their life, even in death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet in delights, who gave ornaments of gold for your attire.

25How are the valiant fallen in battle? Jonathan slain in the high places?

26I grieve for thee, my brother Jonathan: exceeding beautiful, and amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only son, so did I love thee.

27How are the valiant fallen, and the weapons of war perished?

Important Verses in 2 Samuel 1

Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days in Siceleg.

2 Samuel 1:1

And he said to me: Who art thou? And I said to him: I am an Amalecite.

2 Samuel 1:8

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel, because they were fallen by the sword.

2 Samuel 1:12

Saul and Jonathan, lovely, and comely in their life, even in death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 1:23

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 2 Samuel was written with israel, taught that even great kings stand under God's law and mercy in view. Chapter 1 of 24 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 27 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David, Saul and Jonathan appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days…" It concludes: "How are the valiant fallen, and the weapons of war perished? " The wider setting of 2 Samuel is this: Second Samuel chronicles David's forty-year reign: the capture of Jerusalem, the bringing of the Ark, God's covenant promise of an everlasting dynasty (2 Sam 7), and David's grave sins and repentance. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

Who Wrote It

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad

When It Was Written

Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within David's reign and the Davidic covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days in Siceleg." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 2 Samuel 1 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the promise to David finds fulfillment in Christ, Son of David (CIC 437-439). St. Ambrose and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 756).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.

People in This Chapter

David11 mentionsSaul11 mentionsJonathan8 mentions

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read 2 Samuel Chapter 1, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the dignity of the human person remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1502).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Samuel Chapter 1 about?

2 Samuel 1 contains 27 verses. It opens with "Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days…" and closes with "How are the valiant fallen, and the weapons of war perished? ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Samuel 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days in Siceleg." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Samuel Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions David, Saul, Jonathan.

Who wrote 2 Samuel and when?

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad. Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

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