2 Samuel 1

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

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 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.

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 did you come from?” He answered, “I escaped from 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, “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.”

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, “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 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.

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 Saul turned around and saw me and called out 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 over me and kill me, for great suffering has taken hold of me, but life is still in me.'

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 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.”

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

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

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.

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, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a foreigner in the land, 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, “Why were you not afraid to kill Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?”

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 and kill him.” So that man went and struck him down, and the Amalekite died.

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

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.'”

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

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

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

19 “Your glory, Israel, is dead, killed 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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! 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 in scarlet as well as jewels, and 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 the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is killed on your high places.

How the mighty have fallen In the midst of the battle! Jonathan [was] wounded 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 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 the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

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