2 Samuel 1

The Report of Saul’s Death

1 After Saul died and David returned from defeating the Amalekites,t David stayed in Ziklag two days.

2 On the third day a man came from Saul’s camp. His clothes were torn, and he had dirt on his head. When he came to David, he immediately bowed down with his face touching the ground.
3 “Where did you come from?” David asked him.“I escaped from the camp of Israel,” he answered.4 “What happened?” David asked him. “Please tell me.”The man answered, “The army fled from the battle, and many of the soldiers died. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.”5 “How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” David asked the young man who had brought him the news.6 The young man answered, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa. Saul was there leaning on his spear, and the chariots and horsemen were catching up with him.

7 When he looked back and saw me, he called to me, and I said, ‘Yes?’ ”
8 “He asked me, ‘Who are you?’“I said to him, ‘I’m an Amalekite.’9 “He said to me, ‘Please stand over me and kill me. I’m alive, but I’m suffering.’t10 “So I stood over him and killed him, since I knew he couldn’t survive after he had been wounded. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm and brought them here to you, sir.”11 Then David grabbed his own clothes and tore them in grief. All the men with him did the same.

12 They mourned, cried, and fasted until evening because Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s army, and the nation of Israel had been defeated in battle.
13 David asked the young man who had brought him the news, “Where are you from?”And the young man answered, “I’m an Amalekite, the son of a foreign resident.”14 David asked, “Why weren’t you afraid to take it upon yourself to destroy the Lord’s anointed king?”15 Then David called one of his young men and told him, “Come here and attack him.” David’s young man executed him

16 while David said, “You are responsible for spilling your own blood. You testified against yourself when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed king.’ ”

David’s Lament

17 David wrote this song of mourning for Saul and his son Jonathan.

18 He said,
“Teach this kesheth t to the people of Judah.”(It is recorded in the Book of Jashar.)19 “Your glory, Israel, lies dead on your hills.See how the mighty have fallen!20 Don’t tell the news in Gath.Don’t announce the victory in the streets of Ashkelon,or the daughters of the Philistines will be glad,and the daughters of godless men will celebrate.21 You mountains in Gilboa,may there be no dew or rain on youor on your slopes,tbecause warriors’ shields were tarnished there.Saul’s shield was never rubbed with olive oil.22 From the blood of those killed and the fat of the warriors,Jonathan’s bow did not turn away,nor did Saul’s sword return unused.23 Saul and Jonathan were loved and well-liked while they were living.They were not separated even when they died.They were swifter than eagles and stronger than lions.24 Daughters of Israel, cry over Saul,who dressed you in decorated, red clothes,who put gold jewelry on your clothes.25 See how the mighty have fallen in battle!On your hills Jonathan was killed!26 I am heartbroken over you, my brother Jonathan.You were my great delight.Your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women.27 See how the mighty have fallen!See how the weapons of war have been destroyed!”

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!