2 Samuel 1

David Learns of Saul’s Death

1Now it came about after 1the death of Saul, when David had returned from 2the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David remained two days in Ziklag. 2On the third day, behold, 3a man came out of the camp from Saul, 4with his clothes torn and 5dust on his head. And it came about when he came to David that 6he fell to the ground and prostrated himself. 3Then David said to him, “From where do you come?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4David said to him, “7How did things go? Please tell me.” And he said, “The people have fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.” 5So David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6The young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on 8Mount Gilboa, and behold, 9Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen pursued him closely. 7When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 8He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I 10answered him, ‘11I am an Amalekite.’ 9Then he said to me, ‘Please stand beside me and kill me, for agony has seized me because my 12life still lingers in me.’ 10So I stood beside him 13and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And 14I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

11Then 15David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. 12They mourned and wept and 16fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he 17answered, “18I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.” 14Then David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid 19to stretch out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15And David called one of the young men and said, “Go, 20cut him down.” 21So he struck him and he died. 16David said to him, “22Your blood is on your head, for 23your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’”

David’s Dirge for Saul and Jonathan

17Then David 24chanted with this lament over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in 25the book of Jashar.19“26Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! 27How have the mighty fallen!2028Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or 29the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of 30the uncircumcised will exult.2131O mountains of Gilboa, 32Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not 33anointed with oil.2234From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, 35The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; 36They were swifter than eagles, 37They were stronger than lions.24O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.2538How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places.26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. 39Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women.2740How have the mighty fallen, And 41the weapons of war perished!”