2 Samuel 1

1It happened after the death of Saul, when David returned from striking down Amalek, that David stayed two days in Ziklag.

2On the third day, suddenly a man came from Saul's camp with his garments torn and dirt on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.

3David said to him, "From where have you come?" He said to him, "I have escaped from Israel's camp."

4David said to him, "What became of the matter? Please tell me." He said, "The people fled from the battle, and many of the people also fell and died; Saul and Jonathan his son also died."

5David said to the lad who reported to him, "How did you know that Saul and Jonathan his son were dead?"

6The young man who informed him said, "When I chanced upon Mount Gilboa, there was Saul leaning on his spear, and there the chariots and horsemen pressed close to him."

7He looked behind him and saw me, called to me, and I said, "Here I am."

8He said to me, "Who are you?" I said to him, "I am an Amalekite."

9He said to me, "Please stand over me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, because my life is still wholly in me."

10I stood over him and killed him, because I knew he would not live after his fall. I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and brought them here to my lord.

11David grasped his clothes and tore them, and likewise all the men who were with him.

12They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan his son, for the people of Yahweh and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

13David said to the youth who reported to him, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite."

14David said to him, "How were you not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy Yahweh's anointed?"

15David called one of the young men and said, "Draw near, fall on him." He struck him, and he died.

16David said to him, "Your blood be on your head, for your mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed Yahweh's anointed.'"

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

18He commanded them to teach the sons of Judah the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.

19Glorious Israel lies slain upon your high places! How have the heroes fallen!

20Do not make it known in Gath, do not spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

21Mountains of Gilboa, no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings, for there the shield of champions was defiled, the shield of Saul without anointing oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the champions, Jonathan's bow did not turn backward, and Saul's sword did not return empty.

23Saul and Jonathan were beloved and delightful in their lives, and in their deaths they were not separated; swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

24Daughters of Israel, mourn for Saul, who dressed you in scarlet with delights, who adorned your garments with golden ornaments.

25How have the champions fallen amid the battle! Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.

26I am in anguish over you, my brother Jonathan—you were exceedingly delightful to me, and your love for me was marvelous, surpassing the love of women.

27How have the champions fallen, and the arms of war perished!