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.
David asked him, 'What happened? Please tell me.' The man answered, 'The people ran away from the battle, and many of them have fallen and died. King Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.'
David is receiving the devastating news that Israel's army was defeated and that both King Saul and his beloved friend Jonathan have died in battle.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after the battle of Mount Gilboa where the Philistines defeated Israel's army. David had been living in exile, having fled from Saul who was trying to kill him, despite David's loyalty and friendship with Saul's son Jonathan. The messenger is an Amalekite who claims to have found Saul wounded and finished killing him at Saul's request.
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