2 Samuel 1:4 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 1:4 nkjv

Then David said to him, "How did the matter go? Please tell me." And he answered, "The people have fled from the battle, many of the people are fallen and dead, and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also."

2 Samuel 1:4 niv

"What happened?" David asked. "Tell me." "The men fled from the battle," he replied. "Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead."

2 Samuel 1:4 esv

And David said to him, "How did it go? Tell me." And he answered, "The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead."

2 Samuel 1:4 nlt

"What happened?" David demanded. "Tell me how the battle went." The man replied, "Our entire army fled from the battle. Many of the men are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead."

2 Samuel 1 verses

2 Samuel 1 4 Meaning

This verse captures the pivotal moment when David, anticipating news of the battle, receives the devastating report from an Amalekite messenger. It directly reveals the calamitous outcome of the engagement: a complete rout of the Israelite army, immense loss of life among the common people, and most crucially, the confirmed deaths of King Saul and his son, Jonathan. This grim announcement marks the official end of Saul's reign and precipitates the transition towards David's kingship, a period initiated by profound national tragedy and personal grief for David.

2 Samuel 1 4 Context

This verse serves as the critical turning point in the biblical narrative, marking the conclusive end of Saul's reign and preparing for the accession of David. David has been residing in Ziklag (2 Sam 1:1) after a period of intense persecution by Saul and fighting with the Philistines. The chapter opens with David receiving news three days after the disastrous battle on Mount Gilboa, where Israel was routed by the Philistines. The messenger, an Amalekite who has "escaped" (2 Sam 1:3), comes to David to deliver what he perceives as good news for David—the death of his rival. Historically, this defeat was a catastrophic moment for Israel, leading to the collapse of unified rule under Saul and a period of vulnerability. The news of Saul's and Jonathan's deaths is not just military intelligence but a profound personal blow to David, despite his complicated relationship with Saul and his deep covenantal love for Jonathan. This immediately sets the solemn tone for David's entry into his long-awaited destiny, underscoring the divine appointment even through human tragedy.

2 Samuel 1 4 Word analysis

• "And David said unto him": This phrase immediately establishes David as the active seeker of information, underscoring his position and responsibility. It shows his anticipation and eagerness to ascertain the state of the battle, highlighting his leadership even while not yet king.
• "How went the matter?": The Hebrew term for "matter" (davar, דָּבָר) is broad, encompassing affair, word, thing, or business. Here, it refers to the entire military engagement and its complete outcome. David is not merely asking "What happened?" but "How did the whole situation turn out?", reflecting a comprehensive concern for Israel's fate.
• "tell me, I pray thee": The Hebrew na' (נָא), translated "I pray thee," softens the request into an earnest plea. It shows David's intense desire for information and expresses the gravity of the moment, indicating an emotional readiness to receive difficult news rather than an aggressive demand.
• "And he answered": This marks the immediate response of the messenger, conveying the directness and urgency of the message. The gravity of the news precludes delay or preamble.
• "That the people are fled from the battle": The Hebrew nāsū (נָסוּ), meaning "fled," denotes a disordered flight or rout. This implies a complete breakdown of discipline and morale, signaling a catastrophic and decisive defeat rather than an orderly retreat. It paints a picture of disarray and fear.
• "and many of the people also are fallen and dead": The Hebrew phrase nāflû wayyāmūtû (נָפְלוּ וַיָּמֻתוּ) translates literally to "have fallen and have died." Nāflû (fallen) typically describes those killed in battle, collapsing on the field. The inclusion of "dead" makes the causality explicit and leaves no room for ambiguity. This conveys heavy casualties, emphasizing the extensive human toll beyond just those who fled.
• "and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also": This climactic statement delivers the most devastating news. "Saul" signifies the collapse of the existing monarchy and God's former anointed, despite his rebellion. "Jonathan his son" refers to David's covenant friend and a loyal prince. The repetitive "are dead also" grimly reinforces the finality of their demise, which had profound personal and political implications for David and all Israel. This detail confirms the passing of an era.

• "How went the matter? tell me, I pray thee": This initial query from David demonstrates his inherent concern for the national well-being and his readiness to engage directly with critical intelligence. It also reflects the tension and anxiety that surely hung over David, awaiting news from the battlefield.
• "That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead": This coupled statement outlines the comprehensive nature of the Israelite defeat. "Fled" describes the chaotic retreat and disorganization, while "fallen and dead" denotes the severe loss of life. Together, they depict total military collapse, illustrating a disaster that touched both those who escaped and those who perished.
• "Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also": This phrase carries immense weight, delivering the most significant and heartbreaking elements of the news. The naming of both Saul and Jonathan underlines the double tragedy: the end of the current king's reign, marking a political transition, and the death of David's most cherished companion, indicating profound personal loss. This concise report sets the stage for David's immediate response of mourning and lamentation, preceding his ascendancy to the throne.

2 Samuel 1 4 Bonus section

• The messenger is revealed later in the narrative (2 Sam 1:8) as an Amalekite. This is highly significant given God's previous command to utterly destroy the Amalekites (Exod 17:14; Deut 25:17-19) and Saul's own failure in completely obeying this command (1 Sam 15). The irony of this long-standing enemy bringing such crucial news to the future king is profound.
• The information conveyed in this verse about the deaths of Saul and Jonathan is factually correct, despite the Amalekite's later fabrication about his own role in Saul's death (2 Sam 1:9-10). David verifies the accuracy of this core report before questioning the messenger's personal involvement.
• This verse is the fulfillment of divine judgments previously announced against Saul's house (1 Sam 15:23; 1 Sam 28:16-19), illustrating God's sovereignty over the rise and fall of kings.

2 Samuel 1 4 Commentary

2 Samuel 1:4 succinctly communicates the grim reality of Israel's defeat at the Battle of Gilboa. David's direct question underscores his anxiety and deep vested interest in the nation's welfare, despite being in exile from Saul. The messenger's report is deliberately structured, progressing from general panic (the army's flight) to heavy casualties among the populace, culminating in the critical news of Saul's and Jonathan's deaths. This hierarchical revelation intensifies the emotional impact for David. The loss of King Saul, God's anointed leader who tragically failed, and Prince Jonathan, David's beloved and loyal friend, signified not just a military disaster but a national crisis of leadership and a deep personal sorrow for David. This single verse effectively sets the solemn and pivotal stage for David's reluctant but divinely ordained transition into kingship, emphasizing that even through profound grief and national upheaval, God's plan for David's ascent to the throne was unfolding.