CINXE.COM
2 Samuel 1:8 Who are you?' he asked. So I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 1:8 Who are you?' he asked. So I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/10_2Sa_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 1:8 - David Learns of Saul's Death" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Who are you?' he asked. So I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/1-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/1-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/1-7.htm" title="2 Samuel 1:7">◄</a> 2 Samuel 1:8 <a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm" title="2 Samuel 1:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />“He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ “’An Amalekite,’ I answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“He responded, ‘Who are you?’ “‘I am an Amalekite,’ I told him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Who are you?’ he asked. So I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said unto me, Who <i>art</i> thou? And I answered him, I <i>am</i> an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he said to me, ‘Who <i>are</i> you?’ So I answered him, ‘I <i>am</i> an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He asked me, ‘Who are you? ’ I told him: I’m an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him: I’m an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Saul asked me, "Who are you?" "An Amalekite," I answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"He asked me, 'Who are you?' "I said to him, 'I'm an Amalekite.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He asked who I was, and I told him that I was an Amalekite. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He asked me, 'Who are you?' So I answered him, 'I'm an Amalekite!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Who are you?? he asked. So I told him, ?I am an Amalekite.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He asked me, 'Who are you?' I told him, 'I'm an Amalekite.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said to me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he says to me, Who [are] you? And I say to him, I [am] an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he saith to me, Who art thou? and I say unto him, An Amalekite I am.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say to me, Who thou? and I shall say to him, I an Amalekite.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said to me: Who art thou? And I said to him: I am an Amalecite. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />he said to me, “Who are you?” And I said to him, “I am an Amalekite.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />he asked me, ‘Who are you?’ and I replied, ‘An Amalekite.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said to me, “Who are you?” And I said to him, “I am an Amalekite!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he said unto me: Who art thou? And I answered him: I am an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said to me, Who art thou? and I said, I am an Amalekite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=64" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/1.htm">David Learns of Saul's Death</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>When he turned around and saw me, he called out and I answered, ‘Here I am!’ <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">‘Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’āt·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">are you?’</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he asked.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mɛr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">So I told</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">‘I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/6003.htm" title="6003: ‘ă·mā·lê·qî (N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Amalek. Patronymically from Amaleq; an Amalekite or descendants of Amalek.">an Amalekite.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4</a></span><br />Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-19.htm">1 Samuel 28:19</a></span><br />Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-28.htm">1 Samuel 15:28</a></span><br />So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">1 Samuel 16:13-14</a></span><br />So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. / Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-4.htm">1 Samuel 24:4-6</a></span><br />So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. / So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9-11</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/13-13.htm">1 Samuel 13:13-14</a></span><br />“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-12.htm">1 Samuel 18:12</a></span><br />So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-10.htm">1 Samuel 19:10</a></span><br />Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-31.htm">1 Samuel 20:31</a></span><br />For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-17.htm">1 Samuel 22:17-18</a></span><br />Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. / So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-17.htm">1 Samuel 23:17</a></span><br />saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-16.htm">1 Samuel 28:16-18</a></span><br />“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? / He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. / Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1-3</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-4.htm">1 Chronicles 10:4</a></span><br />Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.</p><p class="hdg">an Amalekite</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-7.htm">Genesis 14:7</a></b></br> And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which <i>is</i> Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a></b></br> Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20</a></b></br> And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek <i>was</i> the first of the nations; but his latter end <i>shall be</i> that he perish for ever.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/13-11.htm">Am'</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-1.htm">Amalekite</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-13.htm">Amal'ekite</a> <a href="/judges/9-38.htm">Who</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/1-13.htm">Am'</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-13.htm">Amalekite</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-13.htm">Amal'ekite</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-22.htm">Who</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/1-1.htm">The Amalekite who accused himself of Saul's death is slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/1-17.htm">David laments Saul and Jonathan with a song</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>‘Who are you?’ he asked.</b><br>This phrase occurs in the context of a conversation between Saul and an Amalekite on the battlefield. Saul, the first king of Israel, is mortally wounded after a battle with the Philistines. The question "Who are you?" reflects Saul's desperate situation and his need to identify the person who has approached him. In biblical narratives, questions of identity often reveal deeper themes of loyalty, enmity, and divine purpose. Saul's inquiry can be seen as a moment of vulnerability, highlighting the tragic end of his reign. The question also sets the stage for the revelation of the Amalekite's identity, which is significant given the historical enmity between Israel and the Amalekites, as seen in <a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a> and <a href="/1_samuel/15.htm">1 Samuel 15</a>.<p><b>So I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’</b><br>The Amalekite's response is crucial in understanding the narrative's unfolding. The Amalekites were long-standing enemies of Israel, and their mention here evokes the memory of past conflicts, such as the battle in <a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17</a> and Saul's incomplete obedience in <a href="/1_samuel/15.htm">1 Samuel 15</a>, where he failed to fully destroy the Amalekites as God commanded. This failure ultimately contributed to Saul's downfall. The Amalekite's presence at Saul's death is ironic and symbolic, representing the consequences of Saul's disobedience. Additionally, the Amalekite's claim to have killed Saul (though the biblical text suggests Saul took his own life) raises questions about his motives and the veracity of his account. This moment foreshadows David's reaction, as David, who respects God's anointed, will later execute the Amalekite for claiming to have killed Saul, demonstrating David's reverence for God's chosen king and his understanding of divine justice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who was wounded in battle against the Philistines. His death marks a significant transition in Israel's history.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/amalekite.htm">Amalekite</a></b><br>A member of a nomadic tribe that was often in conflict with Israel. The Amalekite in this passage claims to have killed Saul at Saul's own request.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_gilboa.htm">Mount Gilboa</a></b><br>The location where the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines took place, leading to Saul's death.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, David is the recipient of the Amalekite's message and plays a crucial role in the account as the anointed future king of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>The enemies of Israel in this battle, whose victory leads to the death of Saul and his sons.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites in <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">1 Samuel 15</a> has long-lasting repercussions, illustrating the importance of complete obedience to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_reporting.htm">Integrity in Reporting</a></b><br>The Amalekite's account of Saul's death raises questions about truthfulness and integrity. Believers are called to be truthful in all circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership_transitions.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership Transitions</a></b><br>The transition from Saul to David, despite the chaos and tragedy, demonstrates God's sovereign plan in leadership changes. Trust in God's timing and purpose is essential.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_enemies_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Enemies in God's Plan</a></b><br>The Amalekites, though enemies of Israel, are used by God to fulfill His purposes. This reminds us that God can use even adversaries to accomplish His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_identity.htm">The Importance of Identity</a></b><br>The Amalekite's identity plays a crucial role in the account. As Christians, understanding our identity in Christ is vital to how we live and interact with the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_sam_8_conflict_with_2_sam_7.htm">Why does 1 Samuel 8 conflict with later passages that seem to affirm kingship, such as 2 Samuel 7?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_king_saul_die.htm">How did King Saul die? (1 Samuel 31:4-6 vs. 2 Samuel 1:8-10)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_killed_saul__himself_or_amalekite.htm">Who killed Saul? Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_1_sam_31_4-5_and_2_sam_1_10_differ.htm">How can 1 Samuel 31:4-5 claim Saul died by falling on his own sword if 2 Samuel 1:10 says an Amalekite killed him?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">An Amalekite.</span>--The Amalekites were hereditary foes of Israel, having attacked them on their first coming out of Egypt (<a href="/context/exodus/17-8.htm" title="Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.">Exodus 17:8-13</a>), and at different times afterwards in the wilderness (<a href="/numbers/14-45.htm" title="Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelled in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even to Hormah.">Numbers 14:45</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/25-18.htm" title="How he met you by the way, and smote the hindmost of you, even all that were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he feared not God.">Deuteronomy 25:18</a>). During the period of the judges they had also repeatedly joined the foes of Israel (<a href="/judges/3-13.htm" title="And he gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.">Judges 3:13</a>; <a href="/judges/6-3.htm" title="And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;">Judges 6:3</a>), but some years before this they had been terribly defeated by Saul (<a href="/context/1_samuel/15-4.htm" title="And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.">1Samuel 15:4-9</a>). and it is possible that the present messenger may either have attached himself to the army of the conqueror, or have been compelled, according to ancient custom, to serve in its ranks. One of their bands had also just received a severe blow at the hands of David, but of this last attack the Amalekite could not have known. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">‘Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִי־</span> <span class="translit">(mî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you?’</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑תָּה</span> <span class="translit">(’āt·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he asked.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So I told</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֹמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘I am</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹֽכִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an Amalekite.’</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲמָלֵקִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·mā·lê·qî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6003.htm">Strong's 6003: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amalekites -- descendants of Amalek</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/1-8.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 1:8 He said to me Who are you? (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 1:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>