2 Samuel 1:2

¹ After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.

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.

³ “Where have you come from?” David asked. “I have escaped from the Israelite camp,” he replied.

⁴ “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.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: 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.
KJV: 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.
WEB: on the third day, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the earth and showed respect.
ASV: it came 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.
DARBY: And it came to pass on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his garments rent, and earth upon his head; and as soon as he came to David, he fell to the earth and did obeisance.
BLB: And it came to pass on the third day that behold, a man came from the camp of Saul with his clothes torn and dust on his head. And it came to pass, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and bowed low.

ÅB: Da hendte det den tredje dag at det kom en mann fra Sauls leir med sønderrevne klær og jord på sitt hode; og da han kom til David, kastet han seg ned på jorden for ham.
OTB: På den tredje dagen kom en mann fra Sauls leir, med klærne revet i stykker og jord på hodet. Da han nærmet seg David, falt han til jorden i respekt.
B1930: Da hendte det den tredje dag at det kom en mann fra Sauls leir med sønderrevne klær og jord på sitt hode; og da han kom til David, kastet han sig ned på jorden for ham.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Samuel 4:12
That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.
Read in context
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!
Read in context
1 Samuel 25:23
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him.
Read in context
Joshua 7:6
Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads.
Read in context
Hosea 6:2
After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.
Read in context
Genesis 22:4
On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
Read in context
Revelation 3:9
Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
Read in context
Esther 5:1
On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.
Read in context