2 Samuel 1

1 And it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David abode two days in Ziklag.

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag,

2 And it came to pass on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his garments rent, and earth upon his head; and as soon as he came to David, he fell to the earth and did obeisance.

on the third day, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the earth and showed respect.

3 And David said to him, Whence comest thou? And he said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

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

4 And David said to him, What has taken place? I pray thee, tell me. And he said that the people had fled from the battle, and many of the people also had fallen and died, and that Saul and Jonathan his son were dead also.

David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.”

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

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

6 And the young man that told him said, I happened by chance to be upon mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul leaned on his spear; and behold, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

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 close behind him.

7 And he looked behind him, and saw me, and called to me. And I said, Here am I.

When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. I answered, ‘Here I am.’

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

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

9 He said to me again, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and slay me; for anguish has seized me; for my life is yet whole in me.

He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me, for anguish has taken hold of me because my life lingers in me.’

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

So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. 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 of his garments and rent them; and all the men that were with him [did] likewise.

Then David took hold on his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did likewise.

12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and 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 that told him, Whence art thou? And he said, I am the son of an Amalekite stranger.

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

14 And David said to him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah's anointed?

David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy Yahweh’s anointed?”

15 Then David called one of the young men and said, Draw near, [and] fall on him. And he smote him that he died.

David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and cut him down!” He struck him so that he died.

16 And David said to him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth has testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed.

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

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 Jasher: —

(and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

“Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!

20 Tell [it] not in Gath, carry not the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

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 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, no rain upon you, nor fields of heave-offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, [as] not anointed with oil.

You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you, and no fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was defiled and cast away, the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.

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

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty.

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

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 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with splendour, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

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

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.

How the mighty have fallen in the middle of the battle! Jonathan was slain on your high places.

26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant wast thou unto me; Thy love to me was wonderful, passing women's love.

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 are the mighty fallen, and the instruments of war perished!

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