Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 1:10, 14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 1:10, 14-15
"So I stood upon 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.
And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?
And David called on of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died."

I sat puzzled for a while and wondered why David had the young Amalekite killed that brought the news of Saul and Jonathan's death and the defeat of Israel to him. The Amalekite tells him that he slew Saul after Saul leaned upon his spear and was yet still alive. Well now it made sense to me why some parts of this story said Saul killed himself and others that he was slain. The slayer knew Saul was about to die.  So again why did this man have to also die?

I think it must be because the Amalekite did it for gain. I'm not sure one could ever slay another for mercy. He then took Saul's crown and bracelet and brought them to David. There must have been a motive thinking he would have favor with the next king. In looking at the footnotes I see my impressions were right.

"When one told me, saying, behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:"  (2 Samuel 4:10)

Day 843