Keraia
2 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1:4

Saul’s Death Reported to David · 2 Samuel 1:1–16
Read 2 Samuel 1

Translations

Modern
“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.”
Traditional
And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
Literal
And David said to him, “What is the report? Please tell me.” And he answered, “That people have fled from the battle, and many are fallen of the people and died. And also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.”
Latin
Et dixit ad eum David: Quod est verbum quod factum est? indica mihi. Qui ait: Fugit populus ex prælio, et multi corruentes e populo mortui sunt: sed et Saul et Jonathas filius ejus interierunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
“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.”

Notes

2 Samuel 1:4

  • What was the outcome?: David did not know about Saul's death because he was not involved in it. 

  • Saul and … Jonathan are also dead: Two other sons of Saul, Abinadab and Malkishua, were killed as well (1 Samuel 31:2). The Amalekite may not have known that Saul’s other sons had died. Or he mentioned only the son who could prevent David from ruling as king of Israel.

2 Samuel 1:1–16

An unnamed Amalekite went to David, claiming that he had killed Saul. This claim was false. Saul had taken his own life(1 Samuel 31:4–6).

The Amalekite may have hoped that David would reward him for clearing the way for David to become king. Instead, David ordered him to be killed for harming the Lord’s anointed (the person God had chosen).

2 Samuel 1:1–27

The forty years of Saul’s reign ended in tragedy. The Philistines struck a devastating blow against his people. They killed Saul’s sons and later mutilated Saul’s body after he took his own life (1 Samuel 31). After these tragic events, the story begins to focus on David and his rise as a leader.

Parallels

1 Samuel 31:1–6 1 Chronicles 10:1–6

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Jonathan: Eldest son of King Saul and friend of David Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

Baanah David Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

David: King of Israel: Kills the Murderer of Saul