The first Book of Samuel concluded with the Philistine’s slaughter of the Hebrews. The bloodbath claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Hebrews, notable among the casualties were King Saul and his three sons. Samuel II covers King Saul’s successor – King David’s illustrious career.
”And it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag.”
Tragic news reached David. “It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head; and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and prostrated himself. And David said unto him: From whence come you? And he said unto him: Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.”
Debriefing followed. “And David said unto him: How went the matter? I pray you, tell me. And he answered: The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.” Public mourning and shrieks pierced the heavens. Then came an inquest. “And the young man that told him said: As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and the horsemen pressed hard upon him.” The man told David that this information was not mere hearsay; he had been an eye witness. “And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered: Here am I.”
David heard about Saul’s final moments, including Saul and the messenger’s interaction. “And he said unto me: Who are you? And I answered him: I am an Amalekite. And he said unto me: Stand, I pray you, beside me, and slay me, for the agony has taken hold of me; because my life is just yet in me.” To King Saul’s order, the man obeyed. “So 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.”
Thus, David learned of the circumstances surrounding Saul’s dying moments. “Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him.” Indeed, David had much to mourn, for the Philistines had exacted a terrible toll. “And they wailed, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.”
David reprimanded the man. “David said unto the young man that told him: Whence are you? And he answered: I am the son of an Amalekite stranger. And David said unto him: How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?” David passed judgement. “And David called one of the young men, and said: Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.”
Abravanel explains our passage in the context of a judicial proceeding. Who killed King Saul? Was it self-inflicted or by the hand of another? Clearly, if the king took his own life, why would David execute the young man? Furthermore, even if we concede that the lad killed Saul, hadn’t he followed the king’s orders? And what of court protocol? David had no witnesses save for the messenger and Jewish law is explicit: the testimony of a man who perjures himself is inadmissible.
Here is Abravanel’s approach to our chapter’s military tribunal, King David presiding. Let’s suppose a man says to another fellow: “hit me.” Jewish law prohibits the fellow to follow through and hit. Moreover, the victim can claim damages from the attacker. This is in accordance with the Talmud. All the more so is this the case if a man asks someone to kill him. We compound matters by saying that the man who makes the request is a king. Certainly, the fellow who complies and kills the king shall be tried for murder. Rationale for said law boils down to a pithy truism: Words of the apprentice or words of the master – which prevail? The Talmud, of course, utilizes metaphor. Since the Torah prohibited compliance to hurt another, people may not ignore divine truth (master) in lieu of a mortal’s request (disciple).
Abravanel goes further. Due process requires testimony from witnesses. In our case here with the young man and King Saul, there were no witnesses. David had not followed the strict letter of Jewish law but instead relied on extralegal privileges accorded to a king. Note this. The messenger’s words were substantiated by din of him having brought Saul’s royal vestments to David. “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.”
More rationale to explain David’s summary judgement follows. David believed the messenger as to the Amalekite lineage. Saul, we know from Samuel (1:15) wiped out the Amalekites. This young man may have motivated to kill Saul in order to avenge his nation. For all these reasons, we better understand David’s handling of the case. Plus, Abravanel adds, King David sought to instill fear into the Hebrews: No one should ever dare touch a hair of a king’s head.