2 Samuel 1:9 Then he begged me, 'Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.'

◄ 2 Samuel 1:9 ►

New International Version
“Then he said to me, ‘Stand here by me and kill me! I’m in the throes of death, but I’m still alive.’

New Living Translation
“Then he begged me, ‘Come over here and put me out of my misery, for I am in terrible pain and want to die.’

English Standard Version
And he said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’

Berean Standard Bible
Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’

King James Bible
He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

New King James Version
He said to me again, ‘Please stand over me and kill me, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.’

New American Standard Bible
And he said to me, ‘Please stand next to me and finish me off, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.’

NASB 1995
“Then he said to me, ‘Please stand beside me and kill me, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.’

NASB 1977
“Then he said to me, ‘Please stand beside me and kill me; for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to me, ‘Please stand beside me and put me to death, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.’

Amplified Bible
He said to me, ‘Stand up facing me and kill me, for [terrible] agony has come over me, yet I still live [and I will be taken alive].’

Christian Standard Bible
Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded, but my life still lingers.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded, but my life still lingers.’

American Standard Version
And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me; for anguish hath taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.

Contemporary English Version
Then he said, "Kill me! I'm dying, and I'm in terrible pain."

English Revised Version
And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me, for anguish hath taken hold of me; because my life is yet whole in me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"He said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me. I'm alive, but I'm suffering.'

Good News Translation
Then he said, 'Come here and kill me! I have been badly wounded, and I'm about to die.'

International Standard Version
He begged me, 'Please—come stand here next to me and kill me, because I'm still alive.'

Majority Standard Bible
Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’

NET Bible
He said to me, 'Stand over me and finish me off! I'm very dizzy, even though I'm still alive.'

New Heart English Bible
He said to me, 'Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, yet there is life in me still.'

Webster's Bible Translation
He said to me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

World English Bible
He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me, for anguish has taken hold of me because my life lingers in me.’

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And he says to me, Please stand over me and put me to death, for the arrow has seized me, for all my soul [is] still in me.

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto me, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and put me to death, for seized me hath the arrow, for all my soul is still in me.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to me, Stand now, upon me, and kill me, for perplexity seized me because my soul is yet all in me.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to me: Stand over me, and kill me: for anguish is come upon me, and as yet my whole life is in me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to me: “Stand over me, and kill me. For anguish has taken hold of me, and still my whole life is in me.”

New American Bible
Then he said to me, ‘Stand over me, please, and put me to death, for I am in great suffering, but still alive.’

New Revised Standard Version
He said to me, ‘Come, stand over me and kill me; for convulsions have seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then he said to me, Stand over me and slay me; for anguish has seized me because my life is still whole in me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to me: “Arise against me and kill me, because terror has seized me and all my soul within me!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto me: Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me, for the agony hath taken hold of me; because my life is just yet in me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to me, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and slay me, for a dreadful darkness has come upon me, for all my life is in me.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Learns of Saul's Death
…8‘Who are you?’ he asked. So I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’ 10So 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.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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.

Judges 9:54
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.

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.

1 Samuel 14:13
So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.

1 Samuel 28:19
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.”

1 Kings 22:34-35
However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” / The battle raged throughout that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. And the blood from his wound ran out onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died.

2 Kings 9:24
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.

2 Kings 11:15
And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 31:3
When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

1 Samuel 17:51
David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

1 Samuel 18:11
and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 19:10
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.

1 Samuel 20:33
Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.

1 Samuel 26:8-9
Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” / But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”

Matthew 27:5
So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Treasury of Scripture

He said to me again, Stand, I pray you, on me, and slay me: for anguish is come on me, because my life is yet whole in me.

anguish, etc.

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Agony Anguish Arrow Death Grip Hold Kill Life Pain Please Seized Side Slay Soul Stand Strong Throes Whole

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Agony Anguish Arrow Death Grip Hold Kill Life Pain Please Seized Side Slay Soul Stand Strong Throes Whole

2 Samuel 1

1. The Amalekite who accused himself of Saul's death is slain
17. David laments Saul and Jonathan with a song

Berean Study Bible

Then he said to me
This phrase introduces a direct speech, indicating a personal encounter. The speaker is an Amalekite, recounting his interaction with King Saul. The historical context here is crucial; the Amalekites were long-standing enemies of Israel, and this encounter is laden with irony and tragedy. The Amalekite's claim to have spoken with Saul is significant, as it sets the stage for David's reaction and the unfolding narrative of divine justice and kingship.

Stand over me
The phrase "stand over me" suggests a position of authority or dominance. In the Hebrew context, this implies a request for mercy through a swift death, as Saul is gravely wounded. The imagery here is poignant, reflecting Saul's desperation and vulnerability. It also foreshadows the transition of power from Saul to David, as Saul's reign is literally and figuratively overshadowed by impending death.

and kill me
This direct command reveals Saul's desire to end his suffering. The Hebrew root for "kill" (מוּת, muth) is often used in the context of death as a release from pain or dishonor. Saul's request underscores the gravity of his situation and his awareness of the inevitable. It also highlights the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by those in positions of power, as Saul seeks to control his own fate even in his final moments.

for agony has seized me
The word "agony" conveys intense physical and emotional suffering. The Hebrew term used here can also imply a sense of being trapped or overwhelmed. Saul's agony is not just physical but also symbolic of his failed kingship and the spiritual turmoil that has plagued him. This phrase captures the human condition in its most vulnerable state, reminding readers of the consequences of disobedience and the weight of divine judgment.

but my life still lingers
The contrast between agony and lingering life is stark. The Hebrew concept of "lingering" life suggests a soul that is reluctant to depart, clinging to existence despite overwhelming pain. This reflects the tension between the temporal and the eternal, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. Saul's lingering life is a metaphor for the remnants of his reign, which, though marred by disobedience, still holds significance in God's redemptive plan. This phrase invites reflection on the sanctity of life and the hope of redemption, even in the face of death.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Anguish is come upon me.--The word for "anguish" occurs only here, and probably does not have either of the meanings given to it in the text and margin of our version. The Rabbis explain it of cramp, others of giddiness, and the ancient versions differ as to its sense. It indicates probably some effect of his wound which incapacitated him for further combat.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Anguish. This word, which occurs only in this place, comes from a root signifying to entwine or knot together. On this account Jewish commentators explain it of cramp, which often follows upon loss of blood; but it is equally possible that it means vertigo, or giddiness, when things seem to dance or interweave themselves together before the eyes. The next words signify, For yet is my life whole within me, and give the reason why Saul asked the Amalekite to slay him. The story is at least plausible. It represents the king as deserted by his army, even to the last man, and with the Philistine cavalry and chariots in close pursuit. He is not mortally wounded, but, as giddiness prevents his escape, there is danger of his falling alive into the enemy's hand; and as they would probably not have killed him, but carried him in triumph through their cities, the way would still have been blocked against David's succession. The fear of this indignity would account for Saul's earnest appeal to the Amalekite to slay him, and, so requested, it seemed right to put him to death, instead of trying to carry him off to a place of safety. But all this was merely to keep up appearances, and in his heart he doubted not that David would regard it as a signal service that his enemy was put out of the way.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

‘Stand
עֲמָד־ (‘ă·māḏ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

over
עָלַי֙ (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

me and kill me,
וּמֹ֣תְתֵ֔נִי (ū·mō·ṯə·ṯê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

agony
הַשָּׁבָ֑ץ (haš·šā·ḇāṣ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7661: Entanglement, perplexity

has seized me
אֲחָזַ֖נִי (’ă·ḥā·za·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

but
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

my life
נַפְשִׁ֖י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

still
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

lingers.’
ע֥וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

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OT History: 2 Samuel 1:9 He said to me Stand I pray (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)