Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version when someone told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! New Living Translation Someone once told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ thinking he was bringing me good news. But I seized him and killed him at Ziklag. That’s the reward I gave him for his news! English Standard Version when one told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. Berean Standard Bible when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news! Berean Literal Bible when it was declared to me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and he was as a bearer of tidings in his own eyes, I arrested him and I killed him at Ziklag, which was instead of my giving to him for his news; King James Bible When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: New King James Version when someone told me, saying, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him executed in Ziklag—the one who thought I would give him a reward for his news. New American Standard Bible when the one who informed me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ also viewed himself as the bearer of good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. NASB 1995 when one told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. NASB 1977 when one told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. Legacy Standard Bible when one told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. Amplified Bible when a man told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he was bringing good news, I seized and killed him in Ziklag, to reward him for his news. Berean Annotated Bible when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul (desired) is dead, and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag (winding). That was his reward for his news! Christian Standard Bible when the person told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ he thought he was a bearer of good news, but I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was my reward to him for his news! Holman Christian Standard Bible when the person told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ he thought he was a bearer of good news, but I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was my reward to him for his news! American Standard Version when one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings. Contemporary English Version When a man came to Ziklag and told me that Saul was dead, he thought he deserved a reward for bringing good news. But I grabbed him and killed him. English Revised Version when one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings. GOD'S WORD® Translation "I once seized a man who told me that Saul had died. He thought he was bringing good news. I killed him in Ziklag to reward him for his news. Good News Translation The messenger who came to me at Ziklag and told me of Saul's death thought he was bringing good news. I seized him and had him put to death. That was the reward I gave him for his good news! International Standard Version when the man who told me 'Look! Saul is dead!' thought he was bringing me good news, I arrested him and had him killed at Ziklag as the reward I gave him for his news. NET Bible when someone told me that Saul was dead--even though he thought he was bringing good news--I seized him and killed him in Ziklag. That was the good news I gave to him! New Heart English Bible when someone told me, 'Look, Saul is dead,' thinking to have brought good news, I took hold of him, and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. Webster's Bible Translation When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, (thinking to have brought good tidings,) I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblewhen someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news! World English Bible when someone told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he brought good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwhen one is declaring to me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, and he was as a bearer of tidings in his own eyes, then I take hold on him, and slay him in Ziklag, instead of my giving to him [for] the tidings. Berean Literal Bible when it was declared to me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and he was as a bearer of tidings in his own eyes, I arrested him and I killed him at Ziklag, which was instead of my giving to him for his news; Young's Literal Translation when one is declaring to me, saying, Lo, Saul is dead, and he was as a bearer of tidings in his own eyes, then I take hold on him, and slay him in Ziklag, instead of my giving to him for the tidings. Smith's Literal Translation When he announcing to me, saying, Behold, Saul died; and he was in his eyes as announcing good news; and I shall seize upon him and kill him in Ziklag, which I gave to him for the good news: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe man that told me, and said: Saul is dead, who thought he brought good tidings, I apprehended, and slew him in Siceleg, who should have been rewarded for his news. Catholic Public Domain Version the one who reported to me and said, ‘Saul is dead,’ who was thinking that he announced good news, I apprehended. And at Ziklag I killed him who ought to have been given a reward for the news. New American Bible the man who reported to me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, that man I seized and killed in Ziglag: that was the reward I gave him. New Revised Standard Version when the one who told me, ‘See, Saul is dead,’ thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag—this was the reward I gave him for his news. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought me good tidings, I seized him and slew him in Zinklag, instead of giving him a reward for his tidings; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated But he who showed me and said to me, ‘Behold, Shaul is dead!’ and was like an Evangelist to my ears, but I took him and I killed him in Tsenqlag instead of giving reward to him for the good news! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917when one told me, saying: Behold, Saul is dead, and he was in his own eyes as though he brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, instead of giving a reward for his tidings. Brenton Septuagint Translation he that reported to me that Saul was dead, even he was as one bringing glad tidings before me: but I seized him and slew him in Sekelac, to whom I ought, as he thought, to have given a reward for his tidings. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Kills the Murderers9But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, 10when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news! 11How much more, when wicked men kill a righteous man in his own house and on his own bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hands and remove you from the earth!”… Cross References when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ 2 Samuel 1:4-5 “What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” / Then David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 2 Samuel 1:10-11 So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” / Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. 1 Samuel 31:4-5 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. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him. and thought he was a bearer of good news, 2 Samuel 18:19-20 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.” / But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.” Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Proverbs 25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. 2 Samuel 1:15 Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. 1 Samuel 30:17-18 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels. / So David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 1 Samuel 15:32-33 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” / But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal. That was his reward for his news! 2 Samuel 18:22-23 Ahimaaz son of Zadok, however, persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” “My son,” Joab replied, “why do you want to run, since you will not receive a reward?” / “No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite. 2 Samuel 1:16 For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” 1 Kings 2:32-33 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” 2 Samuel 1:14-16 So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” 1 Samuel 24:6 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.” 1 Samuel 26:9-11 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.” 2 Samuel 1:2-4 On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage. / “Where have you come from?” David asked. “I have escaped from the Israelite camp,” he replied. / “What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” Treasury of Scripture When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: one 2 Samuel 1:2-16 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… thinking, etc. Jump to Previous Belief Dead Declaring Eyes Good Hold Instead Killed Messenger News Reward Saul Saul's Sight Slew Thinking Thought Tidings ZiklagJump to Next Belief Dead Declaring Eyes Good Hold Instead Killed Messenger News Reward Saul Saul's Sight Slew Thinking Thought Tidings Ziklag2 Samuel 4 1. The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner2. Baanah and Rechab slay Ish-Bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron 9. David causes them to be slain, and Ish-Bosheth's head to be buried. when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ This phrase refers to the report David received about the death of King Saul. Saul was the first king of Israel, and his death marked a significant turning point in Israel's history. The messenger likely expected David to be pleased, as Saul had been pursuing David to kill him. However, David had consistently shown respect for Saul as the Lord's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6). This reflects David's integrity and his understanding of God's sovereignty in appointing leaders. The phrase also highlights the cultural practice of delivering news of a king's death, which could be seen as an opportunity for political gain. and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news! Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, who is known for his heart after God. In this verse, he reflects on his past actions and principles regarding justice and respect for God's anointed. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, whose death is the subject of the news brought to David. Despite Saul's pursuit of David, David respected him as God's anointed. 3. The Messenger An unnamed individual who brought news of Saul's death to David, expecting a reward but instead faced execution for his actions. 4. Ziklag A Philistine town where David resided during his time fleeing from Saul. It is the location where David executed the messenger. 5. The Amalekite The person who claimed to have killed Saul and brought the news to David, expecting a reward for what he thought was good news. Teaching Points Respect for God's AnointedDavid's actions demonstrate a deep respect for those whom God has placed in positions of authority, even when they are flawed or adversarial. Justice and Integrity David's decision to execute the messenger highlights the importance of justice and integrity, even when it might seem counterintuitive to worldly expectations. God's Sovereignty in Leadership Recognize that God appoints leaders, and it is not our place to undermine His decisions, but rather to trust in His timing and justice. The Consequences of Seeking Selfish Gain The messenger's fate serves as a warning against seeking personal gain through deceit or taking advantage of others' misfortunes. The Importance of Truthfulness The account underscores the value of truthfulness and the dangers of fabricating accounts for personal benefit. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 4:10?2. How does 2 Samuel 4:10 illustrate the consequences of false news and deceit? 3. What does David's reaction in 2 Samuel 4:10 teach about justice and integrity? 4. How can we apply David's discernment in 2 Samuel 4:10 to our lives? 5. Compare David's response in 2 Samuel 4:10 with Proverbs 6:16-19 on lying. 6. How does 2 Samuel 4:10 encourage us to uphold truth in difficult situations? 7. Why did David react negatively to the news of Saul's death in 2 Samuel 4:10? 8. How does 2 Samuel 4:10 reflect on the morality of retribution? 9. What does 2 Samuel 4:10 reveal about David's character and leadership? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 4? 11. 2 Samuel 4:12 - How does David's brutal display of vengeance align with the moral and ethical teachings later associated with biblical leadership? 12. 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? 13. 2 Samuel 4:8-11 - How can David both punish the men for killing Ishbosheth and still claim God's hand in his rise to power without contradiction? 14. 2 Samuel 1:1-10: How can Saul's death be attributed to both his own sword (1 Samuel 31) and an Amalekite's actions without contradiction? What Does 2 Samuel 4:10 Mean When someone told me“when someone told me” (2 Samuel 4:10a) • David recalls an earlier incident (2 Samuel 1:2–16) where an Amalekite raced to him with news of Saul’s death. • The messenger assumed David would welcome the report because Saul had pursued David (1 Samuel 24:1–22; 26:1–25). • Scripture presents David as a man who waits on God’s timing rather than grasping at power (Psalm 27:14; 1 Samuel 26:10-11). The line signals that David is testifying to events he personally witnessed. ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ “‘Look, Saul is dead,’” (4:10b) • The announcement centers on the fall of the Lord’s anointed king (1 Samuel 10:1). • David’s loyalty to Saul, despite persecution, runs through earlier narratives (2 Samuel 1:23-24). • Killing or even celebrating harm to God-appointed authority is condemned (Exodus 22:28; Romans 13:1-2). and thought he was a bearer of good news, “and thought he was a bearer of good news,” (4:10c) • The Amalekite assumed political expediency would trump moral conviction. • In contrast, “good news” in Scripture is linked to God’s salvation, not mere political advantage (Isaiah 52:7). • David’s reaction reveals discernment between true and false “good news” (Proverbs 14:12). I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. “I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag.” (4:10d) • David enacted justice because the Amalekite confessed to killing Saul, thereby admitting regicide (2 Samuel 1:14-16). • Ziklag, a town given to David by the Philistine king (1 Samuel 27:6), becomes the stage where David upholds God’s law against murder (Genesis 9:6). • The action underscores the principle that no one is above divine commands, including personal allies (Deuteronomy 19:13; 2 Samuel 3:39). That was his reward for his news! “That was his reward for his news!” (4:10e) • A sobering reminder that motives matter; the Amalekite sought reward, but reaped death (Galatians 6:7-8). • The episode foreshadows David’s consistent stance against opportunistic violence, as seen with Rechab and Baanah in the same chapter (2 Samuel 4:11-12). • God’s kingdom advances through righteousness, not Machiavellian tactics (Psalm 45:6-7; Matthew 6:33). summary David recounts how an Amalekite expected applause for reporting—and claiming credit for—Saul’s death. Instead, David executed him at Ziklag, proving that reverence for God’s anointed and obedience to divine law outweigh personal ambition. The verse teaches that celebrating or facilitating sin, even under the banner of “good news,” invites judgment, while true honor comes from upholding God’s standards in every circumstance. (10) Who thought that I would have given him.--The words thought that I would are not in the original, and the literal translation of the margin is better: "which was the reward I gave him." This shows very plainly David's view of the motive which prompted the Amalekite to his lie recorded in 2Samuel 1:10.Hebrew whenכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction someone told הַמַּגִּיד֩ (ham·mag·gîḏ) Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous me, לִ֨י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew ‘Look, הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! Saul שָׁא֗וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites is dead’ מֵ֣ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill and thought בְּעֵינָ֔יו (bə·‘ê·nāw) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain he וְהֽוּא־ (wə·hū-) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was הָיָ֤ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a bearer of good news, כִמְבַשֵּׂר֙ (ḵim·ḇaś·śêr) Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1319: To be fresh, full, cheerful), to announce I seized וָאֹחֲזָ֣ה (wā·’ō·ḥă·zāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession him ב֔וֹ (ḇōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew and put him to death וָאֶהְרְגֵ֖הוּ (wā·’eh·rə·ḡê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent at Ziklag. בְּצִֽקְלָ֑ג (bə·ṣiq·lāḡ) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6860: Ziklag -- a city assigned to Judah, also to Simeon That אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that was his reward לְתִתִּי־ (lə·ṯit·tî-) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set for [his] news! בְּשֹׂרָֽה׃ (bə·śō·rāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1309: Glad tidings, reward for, good news Links 2 Samuel 4:10 NIV2 Samuel 4:10 NLT 2 Samuel 4:10 ESV 2 Samuel 4:10 NASB 2 Samuel 4:10 KJV 2 Samuel 4:10 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 4:10 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 4:10 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 4:10 French Bible 2 Samuel 4:10 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 4:10 When one told me saying Behold Saul (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
    |