[1] It happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the
slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; [2] it
happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from
Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he
came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. [3] David said
to him, From whence come you? He said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am
I escaped. [4] David said to him, How went the matter? Please tell me. He
answered, The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also
are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. [5] David
said to the young man who told him, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his
son are dead? [6] The young man who told him said, As I happened by chance
on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning on his spear; and, behold, the
chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him. [7] When he looked
behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, Here am I. [8] He said
to me, Who are you? I answered him, I am an Amalekite. [9] He said to me,
Stand, I pray you, beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of
me, because my life is yet whole in me. [10] So I stood beside him, and
killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was
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] Then David took
hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with
him: [12] and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and
for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of
Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. [13] David said to the young
man who told him, Whence are you? He answered, I am the son of a sojourner,
an Amalekite. [14] David said to him, How were you not afraid to put forth
your hand to destroy Yahweh`s anointed? [15] David called one of the young
men, and said, Go near, and fall on him. He struck him, so that he died.
[16] David said to him, Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has
testified against you, saying, I have slain Yahweh`s anointed. [17] David
lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son [18]
(and he bade them teach the children of Judah [the song of] the bow:
behold, it is written in the book of Jashar): [19] Your glory, Israel, is
slain on your high places! How are the mighty fallen! [20] Don`t tell it in
Gath, Don`t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of
the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
[21] You mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither
fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast
away, 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 didn`t turn back,
The sword of Saul didn`t return empty. [23] Saul and Jonathan were lovely
and pleasant in their lives, In their 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 in scarlet delicately, Who put
ornaments of gold on your clothing. [25] How are the mighty fallen in the
midst of the battle! Jonathan is 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 wonderful, Passing the love of women. [27] How are the
mighty fallen, The weapons of war perished!
