2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 1:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

And David said to him: Thy blood be upon thy own head: for thy own mouth hath spoken against thee, saying: I have slain the Lord's anointed.
Douay-Rheims

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ דָּוִ֔ד דמיך דָּמְךָ֖ עַל־רֹאשֶׁ֑ךָ כִּ֣י פִ֗יךָ עָנָ֤ה בְךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אָנֹכִ֥י מֹתַ֖תִּי אֶת־מְשִׁ֥יחַ יְהוָֽה׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

Thus, his blood will remain on him (Hos. 12:14), indicating that he alone will be responsible for his demise, echoing the words of David to the young messenger who brought news of Saul's death, stating that the king of Israel fell upon his own sword: Your blood is on your own head. This is not a result of my judgment but rather your blood is shed by the blood of Saul.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.