2 Samuel 1

David Hears of Saul's Death

1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag.2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.3 David said to him, "Where do you come from?" And he said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel."4 And David said to him, "How did it go? Tell me." And he answered, "The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead."5 Then David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"6 And the young man who told him said, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him.7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, 'Here I am.'8 And he said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'9 And he said to me 'Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.'10 So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord."

11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.13 And David said to the young man who told him, "Where do you come from?" And he answered, "I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite."14 David said to him, "How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?"15 Then David called one of the young men and said, "Go, execute him." And he struck him down so that he died.16 And David said to him, "Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the Lord's anointed.'"

David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son,18 and he said itt should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.t He said:

19  "Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
20  Tell it not in Gath,
publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

21  "You mountains of Gilboa,
let there be no dew or rain upon you,
nor fields of offerings!t
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

22  "From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan turned not back,
and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23  "Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles;
they were stronger than lions.

24  "You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

25  "How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!
"Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
26  I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.

27  "How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!"

2 Samuel 1

David Learns of the Deaths of Saul and Jonathan

1 After the death of Saul,s when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites,s he stayed at Ziklags for two days.

2 On the third day a man arrived from the camp of Saul with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.s When he approached David, the mant threw himself to the ground.t
3 David asked him, “Where are you coming from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”4 David inquired, “How were things going?t Tell me!” He replied, “The people fled from the battle and many of themt fell dead.t Even Saul and his son Jonathan are dead!”5 David said to the young mant who was telling him this, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”s6 The young man who was telling him thiss said, “I just happened to be on Mount Gilboa and came across Saul leaning on his spear for support. The chariots and leaders of the horsemen were in hot pursuit of him.7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me. I answered, ‘Here I am!’8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him, ‘I’ms an Amalekite.’9 He said to me, ‘Stand over me and finish me off!t I’m very dizzy,t even though I’m still alive.’t

10 So I stood over him and put him to death, since I knew that he couldn’t live in such a condition.t Then I took the crown which was on his head and thes bracelet which was on his arm. I have brought them here to my lord.”s
11 David then grabbed his own clothess and tore them, as did all the men who were with him.

12 They lamented and wept and fasted until evening because Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel had fallen by the sword.
13 David said to the young man who told this to him, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am an Amalekite, the son of a resident foreigner.”t14 David replied to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”15 Then David called one of the soldierst and said, “Come here and strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died.

16 David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head! Your own mouth has testified against you, saying ‘I have put the Lord’s anointed to death.’”

David’s Tribute to Saul and Jonathan

17 Then David chanted this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.

18 (He gave instructions that the people of Judah should be taught “The Bow.”t Indeed, it is written down in the Book of Yashar.)s

19 The beautys of Israel lies slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!

20 Don’t report it in Gath,
don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon,s
or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!

21 O mountains of Gilboa,
may there be no dew or rain on you, nor fields of grain offerings!s
For it was there that the shield of warriors was defiled;t
the shield of Saul lies neglected without oil.s

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors,
the bow of Jonathan was not turned away.
The sword of Saul never returnedt empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan were greatly lovedt during their lives,
and not even in their deaths were they separated.
They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you in scarlets as well as jewelry,
who put gold jewelry on your clothes.

25 How the warriors have fallen
in the midst of battle!
Jonathan lies slain on your high places!

26 I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan!
You were very dear to me.
Your love was more special to me than the love of women.

27 How the warriors have fallen!
The weapons of wars are destroyed!