2 Samuel 1

1 After the death of Saul, David returned from attacking the Amalekites and remained in Ziklag for two days.

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

2 On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he came to David he lay facedown on the ground and prostrated himself.

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

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, “Please tell me how things went.” He answered, “The people fled from the battle. Many have fallen and many are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead.”

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 David said to the young man, “How do you know 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 The young man replied, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there Saul was leaning on his spear, and chariots and riders were about to catch up with 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 Saul turned around and saw me and called out to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'

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.'

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

9 He said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me, for great suffering has taken hold of me, but life is still 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 killed him, because I knew that he would not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and brought them here to you, my master.”

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 tore his clothes, and all the men with him did the same.

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

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

They mourned, 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.

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

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 David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to kill Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?”

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

15 David called one of the young men and said, “Go and kill him.” So that man went and struck him down, and the Amalekite died.

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

16 Then David said to the dead Amalekite, “Your blood is on your head because your own mouth has testified against you and said, 'I have killed Yahweh's anointed king.'”

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.’”

17 Then David sung this funeral song about Saul and Jonathan his son.

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

18 He commanded the people to teach this Song of the Bow to the sons of Judah, which has been written in the Book of Jashar.

(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 “Your glory, Israel, is dead, killed on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!

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

20 Do not tell it in Gath, do not proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, so that the daughters of the Philistines may not rejoice, so that the daughters of the uncircumcised may not celebrate.

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.

21 Mountains of Gilboa, let there not be dew or rain on you, nor fields giving grain for offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled. The shield of Saul is no longer 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 those who have been killed, from the bodies of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

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.

23 Saul and Jonathan were loved and gracious in life, and in their death they were not separated. 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 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewels, and who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

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

25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is killed on your 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 you, my brother Jonathan. You were very dear to me. Your love to me was wonderful, exceeding the love of women.

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

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