From this passage we see that 2 Samuel is a companion book to 1 Samuel. Actually, in the original language 1st and 2nd Samuel composed one book, but was separated due to its size. Remember that even though David was allied with the Philistines, he was sent home from the battle against Saul, and instead went after the Amalekites who had attacked his city and captured his wives.
David was absent when the battle between Saul and the Philistines had happened. He did not know the outcome of the battle until the report came from the man who said he had killed Saul. Notice that the man’s story was different from what we read last week. Saul had killed himself, yet this man said that he had killed him. Obviously, he was hoping for some reward from David for taking the live of the one who was trying to kill him.
He received his reward, but it wasn’t what he expected. David wanted no part in the death of Saul. He knew that Saul was God’s anointed (as he was) and that his time would come according to God’s timing. David trusted in God’s timing, was patient and showed strong integrity. May that be what people say about us!