2 Samuel 1:2

“It came to pass on the third day, etc.] After the battle was fought, in which Saul was slain: that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul; that is, from them who were in the camp with Saul, for he was dead. Some say f4 this was Doeg the Edomite, which is not likely that he should come with such tidings to David; besides, if he was Saul’s armourbearer, as others say, (see <093104> 1 Samuel 31:4); he died with Saul; nor his son, as others f5, which is not at all probable, though his being an Edomite is no objection, since the Amalekites were of the race of Edom: with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: in token of mourning, and was the bringer of bad tidings, (see <090412>1…”

“a man came out of the camp from Saul--As the narrative of Saul's death, given in the last chapter, is inspired, it must be considered the true account, and the Amalekite's story a fiction of his own, invented to ingratiate himself with David, the presumptive successor to the throne. David's question, "How went the matter?" evinces the deep interest he took in the war, an interest that sprang from feelings of high and generous patriotism, not from views of ambition. The Amalekite, however, judging him to be actuated by a selfish principle, fabricated a story improbable and inconsistent, which he thought would procure him a reward. Having probably witnessed the suicidal act of Saul, he thought…”

“Third day - From David's return to Ziklag. With his clothes rent, &c. - As a mourner. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 1:18”

“Sa1 4:12 the third: Gen 22:4; Est 4:16, Est 5:1; Hos 6:2; Mat 12:40, Mat 16:21 a man: Sa2 4:10 clothes: Gen 37:29, Gen 37:34; Jos 7:6; Sa1 4:12, Sa1 4:16; Joe 2:13 and earth: Sa2 15:32 he fell: Sa2 14:4; Gen 37:7-10, Gen 43:28; Sa1 20:41, Sa1 25:23; Psa 66:3; Rev 3:9 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 1:3”