2 Samuel 1:2-11

2The next day, a man arrived from the camp of Saul's army. He had dirt on his head and he had torn his clothes. When the man met David, he threw himself down on the ground to give honour to David.

3David asked him, ‘Where have you come from?’ The man replied, ‘I have run from the Israelite army's camp.’

4David said, ‘Tell me what happened in the battle.’ The man replied, ‘The Israelites ran away and the enemy killed many of them. Even Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.’

5When the young man told this to David, David asked him, ‘How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?’

6The young man said, ‘I was on Gilboa mountain. I saw Saul there. He had to use his spear like a stick to help him to stand. The enemy army with its horses and chariots were getting very near to him.

7Saul turned round and he saw me. He shouted to me and I said, “Here I am, sir.”

8He asked me, “Who are you?” I said to him, “I am an Amalekite.”

9He said to me, “Stand over me and kill me. I have a lot of pain and I am almost dead.”

10I knew that he would soon fall down. He was too weak to live. So I stood over him and I killed him. Then I took the crown from his head and the ring that was on his arm. I have brought them here to you, my lord.’

11Then David tore his clothes because he was very upset. The men who were with him did the same thing.