2 Samuel 1:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
וָאֶֽעֱמֹ֤ד
So I stood
H5975
וָאֶֽעֱמֹ֤ד
So I stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 23
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַאֲמֹ֣תְתֵ֔הוּ
upon him and slew
H4191
וַאֲמֹ֣תְתֵ֔הוּ
upon him and slew
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
3 of 23
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָדַ֔עְתִּי
him because I was sure
H3045
יָדַ֔עְתִּי
him because I was sure
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 23
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽחְיֶ֖ה
that he could not live
H2421
יִֽחְיֶ֖ה
that he could not live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
8 of 23
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
נִפְל֑וֹ
that he was fallen
H5307
נִפְל֑וֹ
that he was fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
10 of 23
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וָֽאֶקַּ֞ח
and I took
H3947
וָֽאֶקַּ֞ח
and I took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
11 of 23
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הַנֵּ֣זֶר׀
the crown
H5145
הַנֵּ֣זֶר׀
the crown
Strong's:
H5145
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, something set apart, i.e., (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chapl
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹאשׁ֗וֹ
that was upon his head
H7218
רֹאשׁ֗וֹ
that was upon his head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
15 of 23
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְאֶצְעָדָה֙
and the bracelet
H685
וְאֶצְעָדָה֙
and the bracelet
Strong's:
H685
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, a step-chain; by analogy, a bracelet
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
זְרֹע֔וֹ
that was on his arm
H2220
זְרֹע֔וֹ
that was on his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
19 of 23
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
וָֽאֲבִיאֵ֥ם
and have brought
H935
וָֽאֲבִיאֵ֥ם
and have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
20 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Matthew 7:2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.Judges 9:54Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.2 Kings 11:12And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.Lamentations 5:16The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!1 Samuel 22:18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.2 Samuel 12:30And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.Judges 1:7And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
Historical Context
The historical setting of 2 Samuel 1 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding honoring God's anointed, genuine grief provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of honoring God's anointed, genuine grief?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
- In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
This verse contributes to the narrative of David Learns of Saul's Death, emphasizing honoring God's anointed, genuine grief. The Hebrew terminology emphasizes David's respect for God's anointed (mashiach, מָשִׁיחַ) even after death. David's lament (vv. 19-27) represents some of Scripture's finest poetry, expressing genuine grief without compromising theological truth about Saul's disobedience. Cross-references to 1 Samuel demonstrate narrative continuity while developing themes of covenant faithfulness and proper mourning.