2 Samuel 1:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The young man reports that Saul asked who he was, and he answered that he was an Amalekite.
What Does 2 Samuel 1:8 Mean?
In the messenger's telling, Saul asks his identity, and he names himself an Amalekite. The detail is loaded, for Saul had lost his kingdom in part through disobedience concerning the Amalekites, and David has just returned from battling that very people.
That a son of Amalek now claims to stand over the fallen king is heavy with irony. The narrator places this confession at the center of the scene, knowing the reader will remember the long enmity between Israel and Amalek. The man may think his nationality is incidental, but in David's court it will prove anything but harmless.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 1:8
What does 2 Samuel 1:8 mean?
The young man reports that Saul asked who he was, and he answered that he was an Amalekite.