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?
2 Samuel 1:5 nkjv
So David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?"
2 Samuel 1:5 niv
Then David said to the young man who brought him the report, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"
2 Samuel 1:5 esv
Then David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"
2 Samuel 1:5 nlt
"How do you know Saul and Jonathan are dead?" David demanded of the young man.
2 Samuel 1 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 4:16-17 | The man said to Eli, "I am the one who came from the battle line... Israel has fled... and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." | Parallels a messenger bringing news of significant deaths in battle to a leader. |
| Deut 19:15 | "A single witness shall not suffice... only on the evidence of two or three witnesses shall a matter be established." | David's implied demand for certainty/verification reflects biblical legal principles of testimony. |
| Matt 18:16 | "...take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Echoes the Old Testament principle of requiring multiple witnesses for serious matters. |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God..." | Emphasizes the importance of discernment and testing claims, paralleling David's caution. |
| Prov 18:13 | "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." | David demonstrates wisdom by not reacting immediately but seeking to understand the details. |
| 1 Sam 23:25-29 | David escapes from Saul, showing the long pursuit and David's established humility before Saul. | Provides context for David's conflicted relationship with Saul, adding weight to his concern. |
| 1 Sam 24:6-7 | David refuses to harm Saul, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed..." | Reveals David's deep respect for Saul's anointed status, making news of his death profoundly significant. |
| 1 Sam 26:9-11 | David again refuses to kill Saul, affirming he would not "stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed." | Reinforces David's consistent honor for God's anointed king, even in opposition. |
| 2 Sam 1:11-12 | David tears his clothes and mourns greatly for Saul and Jonathan. | David's subsequent actions confirm the depth of his genuine grief upon confirmation. |
| 2 Sam 1:17-27 | David's lament over Saul and Jonathan, showing his profound sorrow. | Shows the sincerity of David's affection and the weight of their loss for him. |
| Gen 37:31-35 | Jacob mourning Joseph's supposed death. | Illustrates deep parental/familial grief over reported death, mirroring the impact on David. |
| Acts 23:14-15 | A plot to kill Paul, highlighting the presence of schemes and potential deception. | The need to verify claims, as plots and false information can be dangerous. |
| Job 1:14-19 | Messengers bringing successive bad news to Job. | Shows how tragic news is delivered and received, often demanding a reaction. |
| 2 Kgs 5:21-25 | Gehazi's deception before Naaman and Elisha. | A reminder that messengers can sometimes carry false or self-serving narratives. |
| Exod 4:1 | Moses questioned how the Israelites would believe him, highlighting skepticism about unproven claims. | God addresses the need for evidence when delivering momentous news. |
| 1 Tim 5:19 | "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses." | A New Testament church principle demonstrating the consistent biblical demand for verification. |
| Psa 5:6 | "You destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man." | Underlines the importance of truth and consequences for deceit, providing context for David's scrutiny of the messenger. |
| Isa 53:8 | "...from oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off from the land of the living..." | Echoes themes of a leader's death and its profound impact, particularly an anointed one. |
| Eccl 9:10 | "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol..." | Underpins the finality of "dead" and why confirmation is crucial for living. |
| Heb 4:13 | "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." | Though David seeks human verification, God ultimately knows all truths and intentions. |
| 1 Sam 28:19 | Saul's death prophesied. | Reveals the divine context behind the tragic news, known by God even if not directly by David in this moment. |
| Gen 24:21 | Abraham's servant waited silently to know if his journey was successful. | A less direct connection but shows the patience and watchfulness required to verify circumstances. |
| Josh 2:9-11 | Rahab reports news to spies of fear in Canaan, verifying what they believed. | Demonstrates the weight of vital intelligence regarding enemy leaders. |
| 2 Kgs 8:12 | Elisha prophesies great evil Hazael would do to Israel, and Hazael asks, "But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?" | Shows how severe, tragic information is sometimes received and the human struggle to comprehend its scope. |
2 Samuel 1 verses
2 Samuel 1 5 Meaning
2 Samuel 1:5 records David's immediate and probing question to the young man who brought news from the battlefield. David, still in Ziklag, demands to know the source and certainty of the messenger's claim that King Saul and his son Jonathan have died. This reflects David's shock, his inherent caution, and his need for verification before fully processing such profoundly grievous and significant news about God's anointed king and his beloved friend.
2 Samuel 1 5 Context
This verse is situated immediately after an Amalekite young man arrives from the Israelite camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head, indicating mourning. He prostrates himself before David, signaling important news. This is in Ziklag, which had just been plundered by the Amalekites (1 Sam 30), and David and his men had recently returned from recovering their families and possessions. Therefore, David is already in a state of recent trauma and readiness for significant events. The news of Saul and Jonathan's deaths on Mount Gilboa represents a monumental turning point for Israel, ending Saul's reign and potentially clearing the way for David. David's question in verse 5 serves as the initial, crucial step in verifying the extraordinary and grievous claim, setting up the Amalekite's detailed (and potentially self-serving) narrative in the subsequent verses. It transitions from the messenger's arrival to David's critical examination.
2 Samuel 1 5 Word analysis
- And David said: (וַיֹּ֤אמֶר דָּוִד֙ - Vayyomer David) This opening signals an immediate verbal reaction from David. The conjunction "And" (vav) links it directly to the messenger's report in the preceding verses. David is the central figure, whose immediate response is highlighted.
- to the young man: (אֶל־הַנַּ֙עַר֙ - el-hánná‘ar) The term ná‘ar (נער) means a youth, a servant, or a messenger. This implies he is not a high-ranking official but a relatively young individual who serves as a courier. David directly addresses the source of the startling news.
- who told him: (הַמַּגִּ֣יד ל֗וֹ - hammaggiḏ lo) The participle hammaggiḏ (from nagad, נגד) means "the one reporting," "the one declaring." It emphasizes that this young man is the bearer of the specific message of death.
- 'How do you know that: (אֵ֣יךְ יָדַ֗עְתָּ כִּ֤י - ’êḵ yāda‘tā kî)
- ’êḵ (איךְ): "How" or "By what means?" This is a precise question regarding the method or evidence by which the young man obtained this knowledge. It implies a demand for specific details, not just a confirmation.
- yāda‘tā (יָדַעְתָּ): From the verb yada (ידע), "to know." This knowledge is not casual; it implies direct observation, experience, or a reliable source. David questions the basis of the young man's "knowing." It's a fundamental challenge to the veracity and source of the claim.
- kî (כי): "that" or "indeed," introducing the reported fact David is questioning.
- Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?': (מֵ֣ת שָׁא֗וּל וִֽיהוֹנָתָה֙ בְּנ֔וֹ - mêt šā’ûl wîhônāṯāh bənōw)
- mêt (מת): "dead," referring to a completed state, having died. The severity of the claim demands such a direct word.
- Saul and Jonathan his son: Naming both individuals together underlines the profound nature of the reported loss. Saul is the LORD's anointed king, and Jonathan is David's closest friend, with whom he had a covenant (1 Sam 18:3; 20:42; 23:18). Their joint demise implies a catastrophic defeat and a major shift in Israelite leadership.
Words-group analysis:
- "And David said to the young man who told him": This phrase establishes the direct confrontation between the recipient of the news (David) and the messenger, initiating the crucial interrogation phase. It emphasizes David's personal engagement.
- "'How do you know that...?'": This question is key. It reveals David's sagacity and prudent leadership. He doesn't emotionally react instantly, but seeks concrete evidence for such devastating and game-changing news. It’s an exercise in discernment, essential for leaders receiving unverified, extraordinary reports. It also sets up the narrative framework for the young man's subsequent detailed account, forcing him to elaborate.
- "Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?": The specific naming of both Saul and Jonathan emphasizes the profound double tragedy and its implications. The death of Saul, the reigning king, signifies a massive national crisis and leadership vacuum. The death of Jonathan, David's beloved covenanted friend, means immense personal grief. This joint naming heightens the urgency and seriousness of David's inquiry.
2 Samuel 1 5 Bonus section
- The strategic questioning by David, before any emotional display, showcases an aspect of wise leadership that does not immediately embrace news, especially when it might directly benefit the recipient. This cautious approach would serve David well in his subsequent reign.
- The Amalekite's detailed, personal account that follows (2 Sam 1:6-10) is presented in response to David's direct question. It's crucial for understanding the immediate historical claim. However, the messenger's story is suspect given his identity (Amalekite) and potential motivation for self-gain, highlighting David's implicit wisdom in demanding "how do you know?".
- The immediate physical response of mourning (torn clothes, dust on head) by the messenger is a strong non-verbal cue meant to convey the gravity of his message, preceding David's question. This dramatic arrival sets the stage for David's skeptical but necessary inquiry.
2 Samuel 1 5 Commentary
2 Samuel 1:5 encapsulates David's prudent and characteristic response to a message of profound significance. Instead of reacting emotionally to news that would inevitably elevate his own standing, David prioritizes verification. His pointed "How do you know?" is not born of disbelief in the possibility of their deaths, but a demand for reliable eyewitness testimony for such an earth-shattering event. This interrogation reveals David's character: he is not impulsive but discerning, exhibiting caution and a quest for truth even in crisis. Furthermore, the gravity of the names "Saul and Jonathan" underscores the immense national and personal impact of this purported loss. Saul, though his antagonist, was still God's anointed; Jonathan was his soul's counterpart. David's question serves as a narrative device, prompting the Amalekite's full account and laying the groundwork for David's authentic response of mourning and justice, contrasting with the messenger's implied opportunistic intent. It illustrates leadership based on discernment rather than hasty reaction.