2 Samuel 1:5

KJV

And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} unto the young man {H5288} that told {H5046} him, How knowest {H3045} thou that Saul {H7586} and Jonathan {H3083} his son {H1121} be dead {H4191}?

Complete Jewish Bible

David asked the young man who had told him this, "How do you know that Sha'ul and Y'honatan his son are dead?"

Berean Standard Bible

Then David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”

American Standard Version

And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Upon receiving the devastating news of King Saul's and Prince Jonathan's deaths at the hand of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, David's immediate reaction is one of profound disbelief and a demand for verification. This verse captures his initial shock and the immense gravity of the information, setting the stage for his subsequent lament and the transition of leadership in Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very beginning of the book of 2 Samuel, marking a pivotal transition from the reign of Saul to the nascent stages of David's kingship. It immediately follows the arrival of an Amalekite messenger from the battlefield of Mount Gilboa, bringing the dire report of Israel's defeat and the demise of its king and his heir. The preceding book, 1 Samuel, concludes with a detailed account of this catastrophic battle and the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, as described in [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul and Jonathan"). David, who had been residing in Ziklag after his complex alliance with the Philistines, is confronted with the ultimate consequence of the long-standing conflict between Israel and its enemies, and the end of the era dominated by Saul's reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The battle on Mount Gilboa was a critical engagement between the Israelites and the Philistines, a dominant power in the region. The death of a king in battle was a catastrophic event for any ancient Near Eastern nation, signifying a potential power vacuum, national vulnerability, and a crisis of leadership. The messenger, identified as an Amalekite, is significant given that the Amalekites were long-standing enemies of Israel, and Saul himself had been commanded by God to utterly destroy them, a command he famously failed to fully obey ([1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection")). David's location in Ziklag, a Philistine town, highlights the complex political landscape and his precarious position during Saul's relentless pursuit of him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes that will permeate the narrative of 2 Samuel. Firstly, the theme of **skepticism and verification** is immediately evident in David's questioning, underscoring the immense weight of the news and the need for absolute certainty regarding such a momentous event. Secondly, the **weight of loss and profound grief** is palpable, even for Saul, David's persecutor, but especially for Jonathan, David's beloved covenant friend ([1 Samuel 18:1](/1_samuel/18-1 "1 Samuel 18:1 - Jonathan's Love for David")). This sets the stage for David's heartfelt lament, recorded in [2 Samuel 1:17-27](/2_samuel/1-17 "2 Samuel 1:17-27 - David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan"). Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty and the transition of leadership**. While David had been anointed by Samuel years prior ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David's Anointing")), Saul's death marks the divinely ordained moment for David to step into his destined role as king over Israel, a transition fraught with both sorrow and immense responsibility.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knowest (Hebrew, _yada'ta'_):** The Hebrew verb יָדַע (yada') means "to know," but in this context, particularly with the interrogative מָה (mah, "how"), it carries a demanding nuance. It's not merely a request for information but an insistent demand for the source, evidence, or certainty of the messenger's claim. David is not simply asking "what do you know?" but "how can you possibly know this with such certainty?" or "what is your basis for this incredible assertion?" This reflects his deep incredulity and the profound emotional impact of the news.
* **Dead (Hebrew, _metim'_):** The word מֵתִים (metim) is the plural form of "dead." Its use here emphasizes the dual tragedy: the death of the king and his son, the heir apparent. This plural form underscores the magnitude of the loss for the nation, signifying not just a single casualty but a double blow to the royal line and the future of Israelite leadership.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said unto the young man that told him":** This clause establishes the immediate interaction between David and the messenger. David, the one who will now bear the mantle of leadership, takes the initiative in questioning the bearer of such momentous news. His direct address signals the gravity of the situation and his personal investment in the truth of the report.
* **"How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?":** This is the core of David's inquiry, revealing his shock, skepticism, and perhaps a desperate hope that the news might be false. The question is loaded with emotional weight, reflecting not only the political implications of the deaths but also David's deep personal bond with Jonathan and his complex relationship with Saul. It is a demand for proof, a challenge to the messenger's credibility, and an expression of profound disbelief in the face of an unimaginable tragedy.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?" While seemingly a direct query, it functions more as an expression of David's profound shock and disbelief, conveying the magnitude of the news and his desperate need for confirmation rather than a simple request for facts. There is also a subtle element of **Foreshadowing** as David's questioning of the messenger's account will later reveal the messenger's own culpability and deceit, leading to his execution. This initial skepticism hints at the importance of discerning truth, a recurring theme in leadership. Furthermore, the scene is imbued with **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience, having just read [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul and Jonathan"), knows the news is true, yet David's reaction underscores the human difficulty in accepting such devastating realities, especially when they involve complex personal relationships and national destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's immediate reaction to the news of Saul and Jonathan's death highlights the profound human experience of grief and the need for certainty in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Theologically, it underscores the reality that even divinely ordained transitions of power are often accompanied by deep sorrow and complex emotions. While Saul's reign had been marked by disobedience and persecution of David, his death still represented a significant loss for Israel and for David personally, particularly concerning Jonathan. This moment is a testament to David's character, demonstrating his capacity for genuine lament even for an adversary, and his commitment to truth and justice as he begins to assume the mantle of leadership. It also subtly points to God's sovereign hand in bringing about the end of one era and the beginning of another, even through the chaos of battle and human tragedy.

* [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David's Anointing by Samuel")
* [1 Samuel 18:1-4](/1_samuel/18-1 "1 Samuel 18:1-4 - The Covenant Between David and Jonathan")
* [2 Samuel 1:17-27](/2_samuel/1-17 "2 Samuel 1:17-27 - David's Lament Over Saul and Jonathan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's initial reaction to the news of Saul and Jonathan's death offers a timeless lesson in how to process and respond to significant, often devastating, information. In an age saturated with instant and often unverified news, David's "How knowest thou?" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of critical discernment and the need to seek reliable sources and confirmation before accepting or acting upon critical information. It encourages us to pause, question, and verify, especially when the stakes are high, rather than succumbing to immediate emotional reactions or uncritical acceptance. Furthermore, David's complex grief—mourning both his persecutor and his dearest friend—highlights the multifaceted nature of human relationships and loss. It challenges us to acknowledge and process our own grief, even for relationships that were complicated or difficult, recognizing the profound impact of death on our hearts and communities. This verse calls us to cultivate both intellectual rigor in seeking truth and emotional honesty in confronting sorrow.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react to shocking or difficult news? Do I seek verification, or do I tend to accept it immediately?**
* **What is the importance of discerning truth in a world filled with misinformation?**
* **How can David's example of complex grief inform my own understanding and processing of loss, especially for relationships that were not straightforward?**

### FAQ
**Why was David so skeptical of the messenger's report?**

Answer: David's skepticism stemmed from several factors. Firstly, the news was incredibly momentous: the death of the anointed king of Israel and his beloved son, Jonathan. Such a report required absolute certainty. Secondly, David had a deep personal connection to Jonathan, making the news emotionally devastating and difficult to accept. Thirdly, David had been pursued by Saul for years, yet he consistently refused to harm Saul, seeing him as God's anointed ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul's Life")). The idea of Saul's death, especially at the hands of an Amalekite (as the messenger later claims), would have been shocking and potentially suspicious given David's respect for the office of king. David's question was a demand for proof, not just information.

**Who was the Amalekite messenger, and why is his identity significant?**

Answer: The messenger was a young Amalekite. His identity is highly significant because the Amalekites were ancient, persistent enemies of Israel, against whom God had commanded Israel to wage perpetual war ([Exodus 17:16](/exodus/17-16 "Exodus 17:16 - War Against Amalek")). King Saul himself had been rejected by God for failing to utterly destroy the Amalekites ([1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul Spares Agag and the Best of the Livestock")). The messenger's claim to have delivered the final blow to Saul (as detailed in [2 Samuel 1:9-10](/2_samuel/1-9 "2 Samuel 1:9-10 - The Amalekite's Account")) would have been particularly abhorrent to David, not only because it was an act against God's anointed but also because it came from an enemy nation. This claim ultimately leads to the Amalekite's execution by David ([2 Samuel 1:15-16](/2_samuel/1-15 "2 Samuel 1:15-16 - The Amalekite's Execution")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's immediate and profound reaction to the news of Saul's death, particularly his demand for verification, foreshadows the ultimate truth that would come through another "messenger" – the Gospel itself. Just as David sought concrete proof of a king's demise and the transition of power, so too does humanity grapple with the profound news of the death and resurrection of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. The death of Saul, the first king of Israel, paved the way for David, the "man after God's own heart" and a type of Christ, to ascend to the throne. This transition, though marked by human grief and skepticism, was part of God's sovereign plan to establish a righteous king. In Christ, we see the ultimate fulfillment of this pattern: His death on the cross, a truly devastating and unbelievable event for His followers, was not the end but the divinely ordained means for the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "how knowest thou" of David finds its answer in the irrefutable evidence of the resurrection, attested by many witnesses ([1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Resurrection of Christ")). Through Christ's sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, the true and eternal King takes His rightful throne, bringing about a new covenant and an everlasting reign of righteousness and peace, far surpassing the earthly reign of any human king, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 25:2

¶ [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.

Proverbs 14:15

¶ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.