Kings II 1

1 And it came to pass after Saul was dead, that David returned from smiting Amalec, and David abode two days in Sekelac.

After the death of Saul, David returned from attacking the Amalekites and remained in Ziklag for two days.

2 And it came to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came from the camp, from the people of Saul, and his garments were rent, and earth [was] upon his head: and it came to pass when he went in to David, that he fell upon the earth, and did obeisance to him.

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

3 And David said to him, Whence comest thou? and he said to him, I have escaped out of the camp of Israel.

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

4 And David said to him, What [is] the matter? tell me. And he said, The people fled out of the battle, and many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.

David said to him, “Please tell me how things went.” He answered, “The people fled from the battle. Many have fallen and many are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead.”

5 And David said to the young man who brought him the tidings, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?

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

6 And the young man that brought the tidings, said to him, I happened accidentally to be upon mount Gelbue; and, behold, Saul was leaning upon his spear, and, behold, the chariots and captains of horse pressed hard upon him.

The young man replied, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there Saul was leaning on his spear, and chariots and riders were about to catch up with him.

7 And he looked behind him, and saw me, and called me; and I said, Behold, [here am] I.

Saul turned around and saw me and called out to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'

8 And he said to me, Who art thou? and I said, I am an Amalekite.

He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'

9 And he said to me, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and slay me, for a dreadful darkness has come upon me, for all my life [is] in me.

He said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me, for great suffering has taken hold of me, but life is still in me.'

10 So I stood over him and slew him, because I knew he would not live after he was fallen; and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was upon his arm, and I have brought them hither to my lord.

So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that he would not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and brought them here to you, my master.”

11 And David laid hold of his garments, and rent them; and all the men who were with him rent their garments.

Then David tore his clothes, and all the men with him did the same.

12 And they lamented, and wept, and fasted till evening, for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Juda, and for the house of Israel, because they were smitten with the sword.

They 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.

13 And David said to the young man who brought the tidings to him, Whence art thou? and he said, I am the son of an Amalekite sojourner.

David said to the young man, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a foreigner in the land, an Amalekite.”

14 And David said to him, How was it thou wast not afraid to lift thy hand to destroy the anointed of the Lord?

David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to kill Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?”

15 And David called one of his young men, and said, Go and fall upon him: and he smote him, and he died.

David called one of the young men and said, “Go and kill him.” So that man went and struck him down, and the Amalekite died.

16 And David said to him, Thy blood [be] upon thine own head; for thy mouth has testified against thee, saying, I have slain the anointed of the Lord.

Then David said to the dead Amalekite, “Your blood is on your head because your own mouth has testified against you and said, 'I have killed Yahweh's anointed king.'”

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son.

Then David sung this funeral song about Saul and Jonathan his son.

18 And he gave orders to teach it the sons of Juda: behold, it is written in the book of Right.

He commanded the people to teach this Song of the Bow to the sons of Judah, which has been written in the Book of Jashar.

19 Set up a pillar, O Israel, for the slain that died upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

“Your glory, Israel, is dead, killed on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!

20 Tell it not in Geth, and tell it not as glad tidings in the streets of Ascalon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Do not tell it in Gath, do not proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, so that the daughters of the Philistines may not rejoice, so that the daughters of the uncircumcised may not celebrate.

21 Ye mountains of Gelbue, let not dew no rain descend upon you, nor fields of first-fruits [be upon you], for there the shield of the mighty ones has been grievously assailed; the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.

Mountains of Gilboa, let there not be dew or rain on you, nor fields giving grain for offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled. The shield of Saul is no longer anointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain, and from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan returned not empty; and the sword of Saul turned not back empty.

From the blood of those who have been killed, from the bodies of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan, the beloved and the beautiful, were not divided: comely [were they] in their life, and in their death they were not divided: [they were] swifter than eagles, and they were stronger than lions.

Saul and Jonathan were loved and gracious in life, and in their death they were not separated. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you with scarlet together with your adorning, who added golden ornaments to your apparel.

You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewels, and who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, even the slain ones upon thy high places!

How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is killed on your high places.

26 I am grieved for thee, my brother Jonathan; thou wast very lovely to me; thy love to me was wonderful beyond the love of women.

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You were very dear to me. Your love to me was wonderful, exceeding the love of women.

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

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