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.

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.

3 David said to him, "Where do you come from?" 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."

5 David said to the young man who had told him this, "How do you know 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.

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

8 He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered 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.'

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."

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

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.

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."

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

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

17 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.

19 "Your glory, Israel, is slain 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 celebrate.

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.

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.

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.

24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously 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 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.

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