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

And David saith unto the youth who is declaring it to him, 'How hast thou known that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?'

And David said to the young man who gave him the news, Why are you certain that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?

And David said to the youth who was reporting to him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan have died?"

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.