2 Samuel 1

The Report of Sauls Death

1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag,2 on the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Sauls camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.3 And David said to him, Where have you come from? So he said to him, I have escaped from the camp of Israel.4 Then David said to him, How did the matter go? Please tell me. And he answered, The people have fled from the battle, many of the people are fallen and dead, and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.5 So David said to the young man who told him, How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?6 Then the young man who told him said, As I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa, there was Saul, leaning on his spear; and indeed the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.7 Now 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? So I answered him, I am an Amalekite.9 He said to me again, Please stand over me and kill me, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.10 So I stood over 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 bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.11 Therefore David took hold of his own 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, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.13 Then David said to the young man who told him, Where are you from? And he answered, I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.14 So David said to him, How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lords anointed?15 Then David called one of the young men and said, Go near, and execute him! And he struck him so that he died.16 So David said to him, Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, I have killed the Lords anointed.

The Song of the Bow

17 Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son,18 and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher:19 The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!20 Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.21 O mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, Nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! 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 did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.23 Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was slain in your high places.26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, 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!