David Reigns Over Israel
2026-03-21
Saul’s reign ended because of his disobedience to the Lord. He, his sons, and his army were slain. The civilians fled their homes and towns and the Philistines succeeded them. Things looked bleak, but it all transpired because judgment rested on Saul. This period also served to prepare David for being king.
While the Philistines had defeated Israel, David and his men were recovering their families and possessions that were captured by the Amalekites. They defeated the Amalekites and had returned to their city Ziklag, which had previously been burned by the Amalekites.
Keep these two things in mind: King Saul had just died by suicide, and the Amalekites had just been defeated by David’s band.
David Learned of Saul and Jonathan’s Deaths
Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; (2) It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. (3) And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. (4) And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. (5) And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? (6) And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. (7) And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. (8) And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. (9) He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. (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. (2 Samuel 1:1-10)
An Amalekite recounted of how Saul died. We notice some similarities to the account 1 Samuel 31. The one notable change he made was that he was the one that killed Saul at the king’s request. Because of the similarities, we can see that he was likely there. He had the bracelet and crown from Saul.
We know he is lying because his account differs from 1 Samuel 31. Also, we can see his lie because of statements like, “And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him” (2 Samuel 1:6). If Saul were really being pursued hard, would he have time to talk with this Amalekite? And why would Saul, who worried that “these uncircumcised come and thrust me through” (1 Samuel 31:4), want an Amalekite to kill him instead? The Amalekites were just as wicked as the Philistines and were enemies to Israel longer than the Philistines.
David Lamented, and Punished the Amalekite
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: (12) And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, 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. (13) And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. (14) And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed? (15) And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. (16) And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’S anointed. (2 Samuel 1:11-16)
How David responded: We see how David responded to the news with lamentation: They tore their clothes, mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening. The rending of clothes was a sign of anguish and grief in ancient Biblical culture. This lamentation fourfold: For Saul, Jonathan, the people of the LORD, and the house of Israel.
Was the Amalekite’s death sentence just: We see that the Amalekite was killed for his killing of Saul. Whom the LORD established as king this man had killed (or so he had claimed). The punishment is justice, for this man thought that killing God’s appointed king was of no consequence. David likely believed the story at the time, though likely learned the truth later. The Amalekite‘s motive for the lie is alluded to later. Consider the account of the murderers of Ishbosheth king of Israel:
And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, (10) When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: (11) How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? (2 Samuel 4:9-11)
This Amalekite thought he would be rewarded. He traveled quite a distance from Gilboa to Ziklag just to bring the tidings; he would not have done it without thinking that it would benefit him.
Both David and Saul’s armorbearer would not kill Saul, with David being a perceived enemy of Saul. This Amalekite man, who thought it a light thing to dispose of God’s king, deserved to die for claiming what he did. His death is on him.
Who is to say that this Amalekite also was not doing this to find favor with David and get revenge on David’s destruction of the Amalekites earlier (1 Samuel 30:1-31)? This is also something to consider.
David’s Lamentation: The Defeat of Saul and Jonathan
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: (18) (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) (19) The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! (20) Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. (21) Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. (22) From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. (2 Samuel 1:17-22)
Change in tone: In 2 Samuel 1:19, we see a change in the text from historical narrative to poetic lamentation. Just as we saw with David’s struggles in the wilderness and the psalms previously, we see David’s heart in all that transpired.
This lamentation was taught to those who were learning the use of the bow (2 Samuel 1:18). Perhaps they were to remember how Saul died by the bow: “And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers” (1 Samuel 31:3). One arrow can take out the precious life of someone loved by both God and men. Even the mighty, like Saul and Jonathan, are taken out by one swift movement of the bow.
This book of Jasher (just of upright) is a lost text. The current books of Jasher known are forgeries. It is likely mentioned because ancient people would know of the book and could see how archers were taught this song by David. Just because a book is mentioned in Scripture does not mean that it is a part of Scripture.
Consider an obvious book that is not a part of Scripture: “And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?” (Esther 10:2). This is some history of the Medes and Persians those pagan people would have written.
The mention of the phrase: “Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon” likely counters what happened: “And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people” (1 Samuel 31:9). They did “publish” what happened, boasting in their battle prowess and alleged victory of their gods. The head of Saul was pinned in their god’s temple: “And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon” (1 Chronicles 10:10). David wanted to counter this proudful boasting of their shame.
Even nature ought to mourn the death of the loss of Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:21). Saul was anointed by God, but the Philistines discarded him like trash. Saul’s value was not in his character, which we all know was very evil at the end of his life, but in his anointing by God.
David’s Lamentation: The Loss
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. (24) Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. (25) How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. (26) I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. (27) How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! (2 Samuel 1:23-27)
David recalled the good things of Saul and Jonathan, mentioning their strength in battle (1 Samuel 1:23, 25). “How are the mighty fallen” is used three times in this lament.
Saul also made Israel a more prosperous place (2 Samuel 1: 24). Recall the evil Saul did to David, and David only commemorated the good things of his former master here. What can we learn here, but to see the honorable things in people, even when they do not deserve it.
We know that David and Jonathan were very close: “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1). Jonathan went against his father’s wishes to help him and befriend him. This level of sacrificial love was “was wonderful, passing the love of women.” As some purport, this love is not sexual or romantic in nature. In Jonathan’s putting his life on the line for David is better than that of women, proving that it was better than that he knew with the women in his life.
David Anointed King of Judah in Hebron
And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. (2) So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. (3) And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. (4) And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. (2 Samuel 2:1-4)
What David decided to do now that Saul was dead: He sought the LORD. In any major decision, that is what we do. When we do not, that is when we get into trouble.
How God responded: We see a very precise response: go to Hebron. David had access to Abiathar’s ephod by which he could enquire in a very direct way. Recall: “And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand” (1 Samuel 23:6). We do not have ephods and urims. However, we have the Spirit, and He can give very specific instructions: “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29). I quiet myself to death so I can hear Him, and He shall speak life to me.
God’s response to David versus His response to Saul: While God gave an answer to David, we see no answer to Saul when he sought the LORD: “And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6). Because the king received no answer, he went to the woman with a familiar spirit.
Or did Saul ever truly seek God from the heart on those days?
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; (14) And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14)
Saul’s enquiry of the LORD was an animistic and ritualistic way without any faith.
If the LORD does not answer, maybe we need to seek out an answer why. “And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day” (1 Samuel 14:37-38). Sometimes there is silence from God to teach us endurance in the faith, and sometimes there is silence from God because something is amiss in us.
The people’s heart toward David: The men made David king over the house of Judah. He did not become king over all the tribes yet. Ishbosheth son of Saul was crowned by Abner, Saul’s general, over Israel, the northern kingdom:
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; (9) And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. (10) Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. (11) And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. (2 Samuel 2:8-11)
Israel was the northern kingdom, and Judah was the southern kingdom. This division was temporary here. There was a more permanent schism when Rehoboam son of Solomon became king.
David Anointed King Over Israel
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. (2) Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. (3) So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. (4) David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. (5) In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. (6) And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. (7) Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. (8) And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. (9) So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. (10) And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. (2 Samuel 5:1-10)
Who came to David at Hebron: This time, all the tribes of Israel came to anoint David king over Israel. Abner and Ishbosheth were dead, so there was a leadership vacuum. These would have been from the north as well as those on the other side of the Jordan.
What the men of Israel recognized: According to 2 Samuel 5:2, the men of Israel were “thy bone and thy flesh.” Elsewhere, this meant that the two parties were kinfolk and therefore there was a bond there: Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:23), Laban and Jacob (Genesis 29:14), Abimelech and the men of Shechem (Judges 9:2), and David and Amasa (2 Samuel 19:13).
The men of Israel also recognized David’s faithfulness while a servant of Saul. He also was the one who truly was winning the victories and led the people during that time.
What the men of Israel did to David: The men anointed David king while the king made a covenant with the men. David now ruled over all the tribes of Israel.
The length of reign: David ruled for 40 years: seven and a half from Hebron and 33 from Jerusalem. These men came to David sometime after Ishbosheth’s death, for he reigned for two years over the northern kingdom: “Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years” (2 Samuel 2:10).
What happened after David became king of Israel: King David and his men went to Jerusalem and overthrew the Jebusites. These were Gentiles the Israelites would not overthrow in the days of the conquest. “As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day” (Joshua 15:63).
The Jebusites mocked David and his men, but David conquered them while his ancestors could not. His nephew Joab led the charge against Jerusalem and succeeded: “And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief” (1 Chronicles 11:6).
Names associated with Jerusalem: Jebus was the original name, as was the name Salem. “But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him” (Judges 19:10). “In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion” (Psalm 76:2).
Zion is the stronghold or the castle that was within this city. This was also called the city of David. These are often used as a synecdoche, or the part for the whole or whole for the part, which often were used interchangeably.
What else is known as the City of David: Bethlehem is also called the city of David because that was the city of his family and ancestry. “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)” (Luke 2:4). Wherever David was, that would be his city. Also, wherever the Lord is, there is His kingdom.
David’s reliance on the Lord: “And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10). After this, we see many of David’s victories, and this was only because “the LORD God of hosts was with him.” What are hosts? Armies of angels. When Joab and Abishai were defeating all those Syrians and Ammonites when they were severely outnumbered, it was because the LORD of hosts gave them victory. David’s greatness was only due to God’s greatness.