2 Samuel 1

1 It happened after the death of Saul, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and he stayed two days in Ziklag.

And it comes to pass after the death of Saul, that David has returned from striking the Amalekite, and David dwells in Ziklag [for] two days,

2 It happened on the third day, that, look, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And it came about when he came to David that he fell to the ground and paid homage.

and it comes to pass, on the third day, that behold, a man has come in out of the camp from Saul, and his garments [are] torn, and earth [is] on his head; and it comes to pass in his coming to David, that he falls to the earth and pays respect.

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

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

4 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; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also."

And David says to him, “What has been the matter? Please declare [it] to me.” And he says, “That the people have fled from the battle, and also a multitude of the people have fallen, and they die; and also Saul and his son Jonathan have died.”

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

And David says to the youth who is declaring [it] to him, “How have you known that Saul and his son Jonathan [are] dead?”

6 Then the young man replied, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa and saw Saul leaning on his spear. And look, the chariots and the horsemen were closing in on him.

And the youth who is declaring [it] to him says, “I happened to meet in Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul is leaning on his spear; and behold, the chariots and those possessing horses have followed him;

7 When he turned around he saw me, and called to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'

and he turns behind him, and sees me, and calls to me, and I say, Here I [am].

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

And he says to me, Who [are] you? And I say to him, I [am] an Amalekite.

9 He said to me, 'Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, yet there is life in me still.'

And he says to me, Please stand over me and put me to death, for the arrow has seized me, for all my soul [is] still in me.

10 So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that 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."

And I stand over him, and put him to death, for I knew that he does not live after his falling, and I take the crown which [is] on his head, and the bracelet which [is] on his arm, and bring them to my lord here.”

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

And David takes hold on his garments, and tears them, and also all the men who [are] with him,

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

and they mourn, and weep, and fast until the evening, for Saul, and for his son Jonathan, and for the people of YHWH, and for the house of Israel, because they have fallen by the sword.

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

And David says to the youth who is declaring [it] to him, “Where [are] you from?” And he says, “I [am] the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.”

14 David said to him, "How is it that you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?"

And David says to him, “How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the anointed of YHWH?”

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

And David calls to one of the youths and says, “Draw near—fall on him”; and he strikes him, and he dies;

16 David said to him, "Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have slain the LORD's anointed.'"

and David says to him, “Your blood [is] on your own head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I put to death the anointed of YHWH.”

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

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

18 and said it should be taught to the people of Judah. Look, it is written in the book of Jashar.

and he says to teach the sons of Judah “The Bow”; behold, it is written on the Scroll of the Upright:

19 "Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places. How the mighty have fallen.

“The beauty of Israel [Is] wounded on your high places; How the mighty have fallen!

20 Do not tell it in Gath. Do not publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Do not declare [it] in Gath, Do not proclaim the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon, Lest they rejoice—The daughters of the Philistines, Lest they exult—The daughters of the uncircumcised!

21 You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, nor fields of offerings. For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away. The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.

Mountains of Gilboa! No dew nor rain be on you, And fields of raised-offerings! For there has become loathsome The shield of the mighty, The shield of Saul—without the anointed with oil.

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

From the blood of the wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Has not turned backward; And the sword of Saul does not return empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely, not separated. Lovely in their life, and in their death they were not separated. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions.

Saul and Jonathan! They are loved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they have not been parted. They have been lighter than eagles, They have been mightier than lions!

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

Daughters of Israel! Weep for Saul, Who is clothing you [in] scarlet with delights. Who is lifting up ornaments of gold on your clothing.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle. Jonathan is slain on your high places.

How the mighty have fallen In the midst of the battle! Jonathan [was] wounded on your high places!

26 I grieve for you, my brother. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love for me was a wonder, more than the love of women.

I am in distress for you, my brother Jonathan, You were very pleasant to me; Your love was wonderful to me, Above the love of women!

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

How the mighty have fallen, Indeed, the weapons of war perish!”