2 Samuel 1

1 And it cometh to pass, after the death of Saul, that David hath returned from smiting the Amalekite, and David dwelleth in Ziklag 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 and it cometh to pass, on the third day, that lo, a man hath come in out of the camp from Saul, and his garments [are] rent, and earth on his head; and it cometh to pass, in his coming in unto David, that he falleth to the earth, and doth obeisance.

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 And David saith to him, 'Whence comest thou?' and he saith unto him, 'Out of the camp of Israel I have escaped.'

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

4 And David saith unto him, 'What hath been the matter? declare, I pray thee, to me.' And he saith, that 'The people hath fled from the battle, and also a multitude hath fallen of the people, and they die; and also Saul and Jonathan his son have died.'

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 And David saith unto the youth who is declaring [it] to him, 'How hast thou known 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 And the youth who is declaring [it] to him saith, I happened to meet in mount Gilboa, and lo, Saul is leaning on his spear; and lo, the chariots and those possessing horses have followed 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 and he turneth behind him, and seeth me, and calleth unto me, and I say, Here [am] I.

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

8 And he saith to me, Who [art] thou? and I say unto him, An Amalekite I [am].'

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

9 'And he saith unto me, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and put me to death, for seized me hath the arrow, for all my soul [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 And I stand over him, and put him to death, for I knew that he doth 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 in unto my lord hither.'

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

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

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

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

13 And David saith unto the youth who is declaring [it] to him, 'Whence [art] thou?' and he saith, 'Son of a sojourner, an Amalekite, I [am].'

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 And David saith unto him, 'How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy the anointed of Jehovah?'

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

15 And David calleth to one of the youths, and saith, 'Draw nigh — fall upon him;' and he smiteth him, and he dieth;

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

16 and David saith unto him, 'Thy blood [is] on thine own head, for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I — I put to death the anointed of Jehovah.'

David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain Yahweh’s anointed.’”

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

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

18 and he saith to teach the sons of Judah 'The Bow;' lo, it is written on the book of the Upright: —

(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 'The Roebuck, O Israel, On thy high places [is] wounded; How have the mighty fallen!

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

20 Declare [it] not in Gath, Proclaim not the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon, Lest they rejoice — The daughters of the Philistines, Lest they exult — The daughters of the Uncircumcised!

Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t 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! No dew nor rain be on you, And fields of heave-offerings! For there hath become loathsome The shield of the mighty, The shield of Saul — without the 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 the wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Hath not turned backward; And the sword of Saul doth not return empty.

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty.

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

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 Daughters of Israel! for Saul weep ye, Who is clothing you [in] scarlet with delights. Who is lifting up 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 have the mighty fallen In the midst of the battle! Jonathan! on thy high places wounded!

How the mighty have fallen in the middle of the battle! Jonathan was slain on your high places.

26 I am in distress for thee, my brother Jonathan, Very pleasant wast thou to me; Wonderful was thy love to me, Above 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 have the mighty fallen, Yea, the weapons of war perish!'

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