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2 Samuel 1:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 1:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
2 Samuel 1:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?
6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.
7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me; for anguish hath taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10So I stood beside 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.
11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
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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 he said unto me, who [art] thou? etc.] Being willing to know whether a friend or an enemy, which by his coming behind him he could not tell: and I answered him, I [am] an Amalekite: which he might be; but it is not likely he should tell Saul he was, which would not recommend him to him; though indeed he was now in such circumstances, that the Amalekites had nothing to fear from him; and if he was slain by him, as Josephus f6 affirms he was, it seems to be a just retaliation on him for sparing any of that race, contrary to the will of God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“an Amalekite: Gen 14:7; Exo 17:8-16; Num 24:20; Deu 25:17-19; Sa1 15:3, Sa1 27:8; Sa1 30:1, Sa1 30:13, Sa1 30:17 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 1:9”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification