2 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1: The Fallen King and a Friend's Lament

Friday, January 9, 2026

by Chinwenmeri Ikechi

A man in torn clothes and dusty hair arrives in Ziklag, bringing news of Saul and Jonathan's death to David.

2 Samuel 1 tells us what happened after King Saul and his son Jonathan died in battle. This chapter helps us learn about truth, respect, sadness, and how to honor others even when they have wronged us.

David was living in a place called Ziklag when the news arrived. Three days after David returned from fighting the Amalekites, a young man came from the battlefield of Mount Gilboa. His clothes were torn, and he had dust on his head. In Bible times, this showed that someone was very sad or mourning.

A young man bows before David, delivering news of the battle's loss and the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.

The young man came to David and bowed down to show respect. David asked him where he came from, and the man said he had escaped from the Israelite army camp. David then asked what had happened in the battle. The man said that the Israelites had lost the battle, many soldiers had died, and Saul and Jonathan were dead.

David was very sad to hear this news. Jonathan was David’s close friend, and even though Saul had treated David badly in the past, David still respected him because Saul was chosen by God as king.

A man kneels before David, offering a crown and bracelet, while David reacts with anger to the news of Saul's death.

The young man then told David a story. He said that Saul was badly wounded and asked him to kill him so he would not suffer. The man claimed that he killed Saul and brought Saul’s crown and bracelet to David. The man thought David would be happy because Saul had been David’s enemy.

Instead of being happy, David was upset. David believed it was very wrong to harm the Lord’s anointed king. David asked the man how he was not afraid to kill someone chosen by God. David then ordered that the man be punished for saying he killed Saul. The man was put to death because of his own words.

David laments the deaths of Saul & Jonathan, honoring their bravery after the battle.

After this, David and his men mourned deeply. They cried, fasted, and prayed for Saul and Jonathan and for the people of Israel who had died in the battle.

David then sang a sad song called a lament. In this song, David praised Saul and Jonathan for their bravery and strength. He spoke especially lovingly about Jonathan, calling him a dear and close friend. David showed that it is right to honor people and remember the good they did, even when they were not perfect.

Illustration of Joseph forgiving his brothers, demonstrating truth, respect, and kindness.

This chapter teaches us to tell the truth, respect God’s authority, and show love and kindness, even to those who have hurt us.

Discussion Questions

1 Where was David living when he heard the news about Saul and Jonathan?

David was living in Ziklag when he heard the news about Saul and Jonathan.

2 How did the young man show that he was sad?

The young man's clothes were torn, and he had dust on his head, which in Bible times showed that someone was very sad or mourning.

3 What bad news did the young man bring to David?

The young man brought the news that the Israelites had lost the battle, many soldiers had died, and Saul and Jonathan were dead.

4 How did David feel when he heard about Saul and Jonathan?

David was very sad to hear the news about Saul and Jonathan. He respected Saul as the Lord's anointed king and loved Jonathan as a close friend.

5 Who was Jonathan to David?

Jonathan was David's close friend.

6 What did the young man claim he did to Saul?

The young man claimed that he killed Saul at Saul's request to end his suffering, and then took Saul’s crown and bracelet to David.

7 Why was David angry with the young man?

David was angry with the young man because he believed it was wrong to harm the Lord's anointed king. David was angry that the young man claimed to have killed Saul.

8 What happened to the young man?

The young man was put to death because of his own words claiming he had killed Saul.

9 What did David and his men do after hearing the news?

David and his men mourned deeply. They cried, fasted, and prayed for Saul and Jonathan and for the people of Israel who had died in the battle. David also sang a sad song called a lament.

10 What important lesson does 2 Samuel 1 teach us?

2 Samuel 1 teaches us to tell the truth, respect God’s authority, and show love and kindness, even to those who have hurt us.