2 Samuel 1:13
New International Version
David said to the young man who brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite,” he answered.

New Living Translation
Then David said to the young man who had brought the news, “Where are you from?” And he replied, “I am a foreigner, an Amalekite, who lives in your land.”

English Standard Version
And David said to the young man who told him, “Where do you come from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.”

Berean Standard Bible
And David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of a foreigner,” he answered. “I am an Amalekite.”

King James Bible
And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

New King James Version
Then David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.”

New American Standard Bible
Then David said to the young man who informed him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.”

NASB 1995
David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.”

NASB 1977
And David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.”

Amplified Bible
David said to the young man who informed him, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a foreigner (resident alien, sojourner), an Amalekite.”

Christian Standard Bible
David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from? ” “I’m the son of a resident alien,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?"” I’m the son of a foreigner,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”

American Standard Version
And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.

Contemporary English Version
David asked the young man, "Where is your home?" The man replied, "My father is an Amalekite, but we live in Israel."

English Revised Version
And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David asked the young man who had brought him the news, "Where are you from?" And the young man answered, "I'm an Amalekite, the son of a foreign resident."

Good News Translation
David asked the young man who had brought him the news, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I'm an Amalekite, but I live in your country."

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, David asked the young man who had told him the story, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I'm an Amalekite, the son of a foreign man."

Majority Standard Bible
And David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, ?Where are you from?? ?I am the son of a foreigner,? he answered. ?I am an Amalekite.?

NET Bible
David said to the young man who told this to him, "Where are you from?" He replied, "I am an Amalekite, the son of a resident foreigner."

New Heart English Bible
David said to the young man who had told him, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite."

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said to the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

World English Bible
David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David says to the youth who is declaring [it] to him, “Where [are] you from?” And he says, “I [am] the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.”

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith unto the youth who is declaring it to him, 'Whence art thou?' and he saith, 'Son of a sojourner, an Amalekite, I am.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say to the youth announcing to him, From whence thou? and he will say, I the son of a man, a stranger, an Amalekite.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David said to the young man that told him: Whence art thou? He answered: I am the son of a stranger of Amalee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David said to the youth who had reported it to him, “Where are you from?” And he responded, “I am the son of a man who is a new arrival from the Amalekites.”

New American Bible
David said to the youth who had reported to him, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am the son of a resident alien, an Amalekite.”

New Revised Standard Version
David said to the young man who had reported to him, “Where do you come from?” He answered, “I am the son of a resident alien, an Amalekite.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then David said to the young man who told him, Where do you come from? And he answered, I am the son of a proselyte, an Amalekite.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said to the youth who told him: “From where are you?” And he said to him: “I am son of a man, a proselyte, an Amalekite”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said unto the young man that told him: 'Whence art thou?' And he answered: 'I am the son of an Amalekite stranger.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said to the young man who brought the tidings to him, Whence art thou? and he said, I am the son of an Amalekite sojourner.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Learns of Saul's Death
12They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13And David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of a foreigner,” he answered. “I am an Amalekite.” 14So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”…

Cross References
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.

1 Chronicles 10:4-5
Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and 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.

2 Samuel 4:10
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!

1 Samuel 16:13
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.

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.”

1 Samuel 28:16
“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?

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.’”

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

2 Samuel 12:9
Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

1 Kings 2:32
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.

1 Chronicles 11:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

Matthew 27:3-5
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” / So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Acts 1:16-20
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. / He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” / (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And David said to the young man that told him, From where are you? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

2 Samuel 2:8
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

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Alien Am' Amalekite Amal'ekite David Declaring Foreigner News Report Sojourner Strange Stranger Whence Young Youth
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Alien Am' Amalekite Amal'ekite David Declaring Foreigner News Report Sojourner Strange Stranger Whence Young Youth
2 Samuel 1
1. The Amalekite who accused himself of Saul's death is slain
17. David laments Saul and Jonathan with a song














And David inquired
The act of inquiring here is significant, as it demonstrates David's leadership and discernment. The Hebrew root for "inquired" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which means to ask, request, or consult. This reflects David's careful approach to understanding the situation fully before making any judgments. It is a reminder of the importance of seeking truth and clarity, especially in leadership roles.

of the young man
The phrase "young man" is translated from the Hebrew "נַעַר" (na'ar), which can refer to a boy, lad, or servant. This term indicates the youth and perhaps the inexperience of the messenger. In the biblical context, young men often played roles of messengers or servants, highlighting the societal structure and the roles assigned based on age and experience.

who had brought him the report
The act of bringing a report is crucial in the narrative. The Hebrew word for "report" is "בְּשׂוֹרָה" (besorah), meaning news or tidings. This emphasizes the role of communication in the ancient world, where news was often delivered orally and could significantly impact the receiver's actions and decisions.

'Where are you from?'
David's question, "Where are you from?" is not merely about geographical origin but also about identity and allegiance. In the ancient Near Eastern context, one's origin often determined their social status, loyalty, and role in society. This question sets the stage for understanding the young man's background and potential motives.

'I am the son of a foreigner,'
The young man's response, "I am the son of a foreigner," highlights his status as an outsider. The Hebrew term "גֵּר" (ger) refers to a sojourner or alien, someone living among the Israelites but not native-born. This status often came with certain vulnerabilities and a lack of full rights, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the foreigner and the marginalized.

he answered
The act of answering signifies the young man's willingness to disclose his identity, which is crucial in the unfolding narrative. His response is straightforward, indicating either honesty or a lack of awareness of the potential consequences of his admission.

'I am an Amalekite.'
The identification as an "Amalekite" is significant, as the Amalekites were long-standing enemies of Israel. The Hebrew "עֲמָלֵקִי" (Amaleqi) evokes a history of conflict, as the Amalekites were the first to attack the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). This admission would have immediately raised suspicions and tensions, given the historical enmity and God's command to blot out the memory of Amalek (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). David's reaction to this revelation is pivotal, as it intertwines themes of justice, mercy, and the fulfillment of divine mandates.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And David
דָּוִ֗ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

inquired
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

of
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the young man
הַנַּ֙עַר֙ (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

who had brought him the report,
הַמַּגִּ֣יד (ham·mag·gîḏ)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

“Where
אֵ֥י (’ê)
Interrogative
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

are you from?”
אָ֑תָּה (’āt·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

“I am the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of a foreigner,”
גֵּ֥ר (gêr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

he answered.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I am
אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

an Amalekite.”
עֲמָלֵקִ֖י (‘ă·mā·lê·qî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6003: Amalekites -- descendants of Amalek


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OT History: 2 Samuel 1:13 David said to the young man who (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 1:12
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