King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 1:4 Mean?

2 Samuel 1:4 in the King James Version says “And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the b... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. How: Heb. What was, etc

2 Samuel 1:4 · KJV


Context

2

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

3

And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4

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. How: Heb. What was, etc

5

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

6

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David Learns of Saul's Death, emphasizing honoring God's anointed, genuine grief. The Hebrew terminology emphasizes David's respect for God's anointed (mashiach, מָשִׁיחַ) even after death. David's lament (vv. 19-27) represents some of Scripture's finest poetry, expressing genuine grief without compromising theological truth about Saul's disobedience. Cross-references to 1 Samuel demonstrate narrative continuity while developing themes of covenant faithfulness and proper mourning.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 1 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding honoring God's anointed, genuine grief provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of honoring God's anointed, genuine grief?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַ֠יֹּאמֶר1 of 26

me And he answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֥יו2 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֛ד3 of 26

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מֶֽה4 of 26

unto him How

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הָיָ֥ה5 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַדָּבָ֖ר6 of 26

went the matter

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַגֶּד7 of 26

I pray thee tell

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

נָ֣א8 of 26
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לִ֑י9 of 26
H0
וַ֠יֹּאמֶר10 of 26

me And he answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲשֶׁר11 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָ֨ס12 of 26

are fled

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

הָעָם֙13 of 26

That the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מִן14 of 26
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה15 of 26

from the battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וְגַם16 of 26
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הַרְבֵּ֞ה17 of 26

and many

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

נָפַ֤ל18 of 26

also are fallen

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מִן19 of 26
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעָם֙20 of 26

That the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מֵֽתוּ׃21 of 26

and dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְגַ֗ם22 of 26
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

שָׁא֛וּל23 of 26

and Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֥ן24 of 26

and Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

בְּנ֖וֹ25 of 26

his son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מֵֽתוּ׃26 of 26

and dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 1:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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