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

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 came to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came from the camp, from the people of Saul, and his garments were tore, 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.

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 said to him, Whence come you? and he said 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 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.

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 said to the young man who brought him the tidings, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son 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 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.

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

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

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

And he said to me, Who are you? and I said, 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 said to me, Stand, I pray you, over me, and kill me, for a dreadful darkness has come upon me, for all my life [is] in me.

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

So I stood over him and killed 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.

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

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

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

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 struck with 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 said to the young man who brought the tidings to him, Whence are you? and he said, I am the son of an Amalekite sojourner.

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

And David said to him, How was it you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the anointed of the Lord?

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 called one of his young men, and said, Go and fall upon him: and he struck him, and he died.

16 David said to him, "Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed YHWH's anointed.'"

And David said to him, Your blood [be] upon your own head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain the anointed of the Lord.

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

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

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

Set up a pillar, O Israel, for the slain that died upon your high places: how are the mighty 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 celebrate.

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.

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 dishonored. The shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.

You 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.

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

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.

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, 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.

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 clothed you with scarlet together with your adorning, who added golden ornaments to your apparel.

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

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, even the slain ones upon 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 grieved for you, my brother Jonathan; you were very lovely to me; your love to me was wonderful beyond the love of women.

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

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