2 Samuel 1:2

WEB

it happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and showed respect.

KJV

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 did obeisance.

Commentary

It came to pass on the third day,.... 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 w ith Saul, for he was dead. Some say (d) 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 Sa1 31:4 ; he died with Saul; nor his son, as others (e), 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 Sa1 4:12 , and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance; as being the rising sun, Saul's successor, and now king. (d) Pesikta in Jarchi in loc. (e) Tanchuma in Yalkut in loc. Hieron. Trad. Heb. in 2 lib. Reg. fol. 77. C.