2 Samuel 1:1
Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
The verse comes immediately after the account of Saul's death in 1 Samuel 31. It places its events after Saul's death, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites and had stayed in Ziklag for two days. It marks the period before the beginning of David's reign.
The verse opens and sets the scene for the story in which the report of Saul's death is brought to David. It introduces an account that shows David's unfeigned grief on receiving the news. It introduces an account that gives insight into David's character through his treatment of the Amalekite who said he slew Saul, having the messenger executed.
The verse presents David at this point as having become king. It leads to David's Song of the Bow in remembrance of the great warriors Saul and Jonathan, with Jonathan as one of the sweetest characters recorded in history.