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.

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from smiting the 'Amalekites, that David abode in Ziklag two days.

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.

And it came to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and it happened, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and prostrated himself.

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

And David said unto him, From where comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

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.

And David said unto him, What took place there? I pray thee, tell me. And he said, That the people are fled from the battle, and that also many of the people are fallen and have died; and that also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.

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

And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul is dead as also Jonathan his son?

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.

And the young man that told him said, I happened entirely by chance to be upon mount Gilboa', when, behold, there was Saul leaning upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen had overtaken him.

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

And he turned round, and he saw me, and called unto me, And I said, Here am I.

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

And he said unto me, Who art thou! And I answered him, An 'Amalekite am I.

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.

And he said unto me, Place thyself, I pray thee, by me, and slay me; for a mortal tremor hath seized on me, although my life is yet whole 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 placed myself by him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after his fall; and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and I have brought them unto my lord hither.

11 Then David took hold of his garments and rent them; and all the men that were with him [did] likewise.

David thereupon took hold of his clothes, and rent them; and [so did] likewise all the men that 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 Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

And they lamented, and wept, and fasted until the evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were 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.

And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he said, The son of a stranger, an 'Amalekite, am I.

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

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy the Lord'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.

And David called one of the young men, and said, Come near, and fall upon him. And he smote him 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.

And David said unto him, Thy blood is upon thy own head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I myself have slain the Lord's anointed.

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

And 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 said, That the children of Judah should be taught the bow; behold it is written in the book of Yashar.

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

O beauty of Israel! upon the high places slain: how are the mighty 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.

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; that the daughters of the Philistines may not be glad, that the daughters of the uncircumcised may not rejoice.

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.

O mountains of Gilboa', no dew, nor rain be upon you, nor fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was stained, the shield of Saul, as though it had not been 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, the bow of Jonathan turned never back, and the sword of Saul never returned 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, the beloved and the dear in their lives, were even in their death not divided: more than eagles were they swift, more than lions were they strong.

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

O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with beautiful dresses, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

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

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, on thy high places slain.

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 thee, my brother Jonathan; very dear hast thou been unto me: wonderful was thy love for me, passing the love of women.

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

How are the mighty fallen, and lost the instruments of war!