2 Samuel 1

1After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David stayed in Ziklag two days.

2On the third day, behold, a man came from the camp, from Saul, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and bowed down.

3David said to him, “Where have you come from?” He said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”

4David said to him, “What happened? Please tell me.” He said, “The people fled from the battle, and many of the people also fell and died; and Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead.”

5Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”

6And the young man who told him said, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were closing in on him.”

7He turned around and saw me, and he called to me, and I said, “Here I am.”

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

9And he said to me, ‘Please stand over me and put me to death, for anguish has seized me, though my life is still in me.’

10So I stood over him and put him to death, because I knew that he would not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I brought them here to my lord.

11Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.

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

13David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he said, “I am the son of an Amalekite sojourner.”

14Then David said to him, “How were you not afraid to put out your hand to destroy Yahweh’s anointed?”

15Then David called one of the young men and said, “Come near; strike him down.” So he struck him, and he died.

16Then David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I myself killed Yahweh’s anointed.’”

17Then David sang this lament over Saul and over Jonathan his son,

18and said that the sons of Judah should be taught “The Bow.” Behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar:

19Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights! How the mighty have fallen!

20Do not tell it in Gath; do not proclaim the news in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

21Mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow did not turn back, and Saul’s sword did not return empty.

23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their lives, were not parted in their death; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with luxuries, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

25How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.

26I am distressed over you, my brother Jonathan; you were very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.

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