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2 Samuel 1:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 1:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah`s anointed.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah`s anointed.
2 Samuel 1:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.
14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah`s anointed?
15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him, so that he died.
16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah`s anointed.
17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son
18(and he bade them teach the children of Judah [the song of] the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):
19Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!
← 2 Samuel 1:152 Samuel 1:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And David said unto him, thy blood [be] upon thy head, etc.] The blood that he had shed, let him suffer for it; for as he had shed blood, his blood ought to be shed, according to the law of God; and for proof of this, that he had so done, he appeals to his own confession: for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed; and what might serve to confirm the truth of what he had said were the crown and bracelet which he brought along with him; and besides he was an Amalekite, of a nation that was devoted to destruction; and, as Abarbinel thinks, David might suppose that he killed Saul to take vengeance on him for what he had done to their nation; but, after…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“David might well think his sentence just though severe, for he had more than once expressed the deliberate opinion that none could lift up his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless (see 1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 26:9, 1 Samuel 26:11, 1 Samuel 26:16). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thy blood: Gen 9:5, Gen 9:6; Lev 20:9, Lev 20:11-13, Lev 20:16, Lev 20:27; Deu 19:10; Jos 2:19; Jdg 9:24; Sa1 26:9; Kg1 2:32, Kg1 2:33, Kg1 2:37; Eze 18:13, Eze 33:5; Mat 27:25; Act 20:26 mouth: Sa2 1:10; Job 15:6; Pro 6:2; Luk 19:22; Rom 3:19 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 1:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification