2 Samuel 1:5

5 Then David asked the young man who [was] reporting to him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan died?"

2 Samuel 1:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 1:5

And David said unto the young man that told him
These tidings:

how knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
this he particularly inquired after, as what most affected him, and was most material for him to know; and his meaning is, whether he had this of his own sight and knowledge, or by report.

2 Samuel 1:5 In-Context

3 David said to him, "Where did you come from?" He said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel."

4 Then David said to him, "{How did things go}? Please tell me." He answered, "{When} the army fled from the battle, and many of the people fell; also, Saul and Jonathan his son died."

5 Then David asked the young man who [was] reporting to him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan died?"

6 The young man who [was] reporting to him said, "I merely happened to be on Mount Gilboa. Here Saul [was] leaning on his spear, and look, the chariots and the horsemen [were] getting close to him.

7 When he turned around and saw me, he called to me, and I said, 'Here I [am].'