2 Samuel 1:6 kjv

And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

2 Samuel 1:6 nkjv

Then the young man who told him said, "As I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa, there was Saul, leaning on his spear; and indeed the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

2 Samuel 1:6 niv

"I happened to be on Mount Gilboa," the young man said, "and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and their drivers in hot pursuit.

2 Samuel 1:6 esv

And the young man who told him said, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him.

2 Samuel 1:6 nlt

The man answered, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear with the enemy chariots and charioteers closing in on him.

2 Samuel 1 verses

2 Samuel 1 6 Meaning

David's inquiry in 2 Samuel 1:6 serves as an immediate, profound reaction to the news of Saul and Jonathan's deaths. It is a direct question posed to the Amalekite messenger, not merely for confirmation of the deaths themselves, which are treated as a grave and established fact, but specifically to understand the source and circumstances of the messenger's knowledge. This question conveys David's astonishment, potential disbelief at the messenger's direct involvement, and a desperate need for verification concerning the immense tragedy and shift in power.

2 Samuel 1 6 Context

The setting for 2 Samuel 1:6 is the immediate aftermath of Israel's crushing defeat by the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, marking the end of King Saul's tumultuous reign. David, along with his men, has just returned to Ziklag, which the Amalekites had raided and burned. While mourning this loss, an Amalekite man arrives from the battle line, bringing news of the deaths of Saul and his son Jonathan. This verse captures David's pivotal response to this profound report, revealing his deep grief, his respect for God's anointed king, and his discerning nature in seeking the details of such momentous events, particularly from an unexpected messenger who appears to have been an eyewitness. This scene immediately precedes David's great lament, which praises both Saul and Jonathan despite their complex histories with David.

2 Samuel 1 6 Word analysis

• And David said: Implies David's immediate and authoritative reaction. As a future king, his leadership is demonstrated through his questioning.
• to him,: Refers to the Amalekite messenger, whose ethnicity and presence from the Philistine camp immediately raise contextual questions given the history of animosity between Israel and Amalek (Exo 17:16; Deut 25:19).
• 'How: The Hebrew word is אֵיךְ ('eḵ), an interrogative adverb meaning "how?" "in what manner?" or "by what means?". David isn't merely asking for confirmation if they are dead, but how this messenger obtained this critical information, suggesting a query into the messenger's direct involvement, proximity, or complicity, and possibly an implicit challenge to his veracity.
• did you know: A direct challenge to the messenger's personal knowledge or eyewitness account, implying that such grave news would not be commonly known, especially to someone who arrived looking for a reward.
• that Saul: Refers to the reigning king of Israel. His death is a national calamity, and he was still regarded as the Lord's anointed, even by David who was his chosen successor (1 Sam 24:6).
• and Jonathan his son: David's deeply beloved covenant friend. His death adds a profound layer of personal sorrow for David, elevating the tragedy from a national one to an intensely personal loss (1 Sam 20:42).
• are dead?': The stark reality that marks a profound transition point in Israelite history. David seeks not to dispute that they are dead, but how the messenger possesses such specific, personal knowledge.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And David said to him, 'How did you know": This opening phrase highlights David's immediate and sharp inquiry. The combination of "said to him" and the direct question "How did you know" signifies that David is not just a passive receiver of news, but an active, discerning leader who demands specific details, especially given the severity of the information and the nature of the messenger. This interrogative beginning reveals David's character and his strategic approach to critical situations.
• "that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?'": This portion of the question reveals the immense weight of the news David has just received. The pairing of "Saul and Jonathan" is significant: Saul as the Lord's anointed King of Israel and Jonathan as David's sworn covenant brother. Their combined death represents both a national disaster and a profound personal bereavement for David. The phrase "are dead" is stated as a factual reality for which David now seeks the means by which this specific messenger came to know it.

2 Samuel 1 6 Bonus section

The Amalekite's decision to report such grave news to David, likely hoping for a reward, stemmed from a profound misjudgment of David's character and his reverence for God's anointed. He erroneously assumed David would rejoice at the demise of his perceived enemy. Instead, David, upon hearing the confirmation of Saul and Jonathan's deaths, reacted with genuine sorrow, tearing his clothes and weeping, demonstrating his lament for both God's anointed King and his covenant friend. The Amalekite's false testimony concerning his role in Saul's death was later used as self-incrimination, sealing his fate as David swiftly ordered his execution for raising a hand against "the Lord's anointed" (2 Sam 1:16). This act solidified David's unwavering commitment to divine order and illustrated the severe consequences of lying and violating the sacredness of the office of kingship in Israel.

2 Samuel 1 6 Commentary

David's question in 2 Samuel 1:6 serves as a powerful initial response to the catastrophic news. Far from simple shock, it underscores David's analytical and discerning character, even in the midst of overwhelming grief. He implicitly trusts the news that Saul and Jonathan are dead, a reality consistent with his prophetic awareness of Saul's approaching end. However, his focus on "how did you know" indicates a vital need to understand the specifics of the situation, especially the messenger's personal involvement. This deep scrutiny signals David's immediate assessment of the messenger's credibility, an Amalekite who would have been expected to celebrate such a defeat. David's profound lament later in the chapter reinforces his sincere sorrow, not merely for the powerful King Saul but also for his covenant brother, Jonathan. The question thus functions as a precursor to the unfolding narrative where David tests the messenger's veracity and metes out swift justice based on the Amalekite's false claim of having killed the Lord's anointed. This act firmly establishes David's profound respect for God's ordained authority and divine judgment against those who would hasten the death of kings or exploit national tragedies for personal gain.