And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
Ver. 6. As I happened by chance.] An artificially composed speech, but scarce ever a true word. This Amalekite, which signifieth a licking-people, would, like a cur-dog, have sucked David's blood only with licking; but was happily disappointed. Indeed, he happening happed upon Saul now dead, and brought away his crown and bracelets, for the which he promised himself some great preferment: but why should he tell so many lies? assuens mendacium mendacio, as Psalms 119:69 - viz., that he leaned, or fell, upon his spear, when it was upon his sword, 1Sa 31:4 that he talked to him, when his armourbearer saw him dead first, 1Sa 31:5 that he should desire an uncircumcised Amalekite to do for him that which he would not have done by the uncircumcised Philistines, &c, Hugo observeth that Saul died by that sword wherewith he should have done to death the Amalekites. And another observeth that he is, if not slain, yet despoiled of his ornaments by an Amalekite whom he had spared. So at the hour of death men's unmortified corruptions shall take their crown from them, - keep them out of heaven. Rom 8:13