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Chapter 1 records for us another account of the death of Saul. First Samuel ended with David defeating the Amalekites. Remember that the Amalekites were descendants of Esau and were enemies of the Israelites since Esau died around 1750 BC. some 750 years before.
When David returned from the battle, he went to Ziklag, the place given to him by the Philistine King of Gath. Three days later, a man arrived from the Israeli army, which was the army of Saul, and told David a different story about the death of Saul. Back in Chapter 31 in First Samuel, we were told that Saul had been wounded by Philistine Archers and that when his armor bearer would not kill him, he fell on his own sword and killed himself. Then, we were told, the armor bearer fell on his own sword and killed himself. Now, here in Chapter 1 of Second Samuel, we are given another account of Saul's death.
We have recorded in this chapter the arrival of a man in Ziklag from Saul's Army. His cloths were torn and dirt was on his head. These were not signs of battle but rather signs of mourning. He is taken to David where he recounts the defeat of the Army of Israel by the Philistines and the death of Saul and his son Jonathan. When David questions him as to how he knew this, he said, "I was on Mount Gilboa and I saw Saul leaning against his spear and the Philistines closing in on him." "He cried out to me to kill him and I did for I knew he could not live." "I took his crown and one of his bracelets to bring to you."
David rent his cloths and all who were with him mourned and fasted until evening. Then David questioned the man and asked him who he was. He said that he was a traveler, an Amalekite. Then David asked, "Why were you not afraid to kill the Lord's anointed?" Then he ordered the man to be killed.
Now are these two stories, the one in Chapter 31 0f First Samuel and the one here, conflicting stories about the Death of Saul? Jewish tradition says no. The messenger here is believed to have been the son of Saul's armor bearer. He took Saul's crown and bracelet in hopes of gaining favor with David. It does not appear that David had previously heard of Saul and Jonathan's death, for it is not likely that he would have mourned twice for the same people.
The chapter ends with a poem from the Book of Jashar called "Heroic Ballads". It is a story of the death of Saul and Jonathan and the reaction, somewhat embellished, of the people to their deaths.
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