"How are the mighty fallen"

II Samuel.

The book opens with somewhat of a bang.

The man who comes to tell David that Saul and Jonathan are dead is in turn killed because he had “slain the Lord’s anointed.”  This he had done at Saul's own request,

because he was already “lean(ing) upon his spear,” in the attempt to kill himself after being wounded by the Philistines.  Or that is the man’s story.  Dummelow ("One Volume Bible Commentary") has his doubts about the veracity of this story.  He offers: “The Amalekite’s account contradicts I Sam 31:4 and is also improbable in itself.  The man was probably lying in the hope of currying favour with David.”

Anyway, David is concerned that God’s anointed has died; he is anguished for the office of king more than for his enemy Saul.  And of course, he is devastated over the loss of his dear friend, Jonathan.

Chapter One is notable for the repetition of the phrase, “How are the mighty fallen!”  (verses 19, 25, 27).   That phrase has been repeated many times throughout the centuries of human history.

Joyce Voysey