2 Samuel 1:2

on the third day The exact position of Ziklag in the Negeb, or "South country," has not been determined. But if we may place it in the neighbourhood of Beersheba (see note on 1 Samuel 27:6), the distance from the battle-field of Gilboa was about 90 or 100 miles as the crow flies, between two and three days" journey for an active runner, so that the battle probably took place about the same time as David's return home.

a man came out of the camp from Saul This expression and that of 2 Samuel 1:3 seem to imply that the Amalekite represented himself as in some way attached to the Israelite army, either as a combatant, or more probably as a camp-follower. On the other hand, the words of 2 Samuel 1:6, "I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa," seem to describe his presence on the battle-field as accidental. On the whole it is best to suppose that he was connected with the army, and to understand 2 Samuel 1:6 to mean merely that his finding Saul was accidental.

with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head With the same tokens of mourning as the man of Benjamin who bore the news of the disastrous defeat of Aphek to Shiloh. See 1 Samuel 4:12, and note. There however the word rendered clothesis different, perhaps denoting a military dress, as in 1 Samuel 17:38: that used here is the ordinary term.

fell to the earth, and did obeisance Recognising David as Saul's successor, and expecting a reward for his tidings.

did obeisance Obeisance, derived from Lat. obedirethrough Fr. obéissance, was originally used in the literal sense of obedience, but in Bible-English is limited to the act of prostration, which was the outward token of obedience or reverence. The Heb. word, variously translated in the E. V. -bow oneself," -bow down," -fall flat," -crouch," -reverence," -do reverence," -worship," means literally to bow oneself down, and specially to worshipGod.