John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. It came to pass on the third day , etc.] 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 with Saul, for he was dead. Some say 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 1 Samuel 31:4); he died with Saul; nor his son, as others f5 , 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 1 Samuel 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired no Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 ביום3117 השׁלישׁי7992 והנה2009 אישׁ376 בא935 מן4480 המחנה4264 מעם5973 שׁאול7586 ובגדיו899 קרעים7167 ואדמה127 על5921 ראשׁו7218 ויהי1961 בבאו935 אל413 דוד1732 ויפל5307 ארצה776 וישׁתחו׃7812
