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 stayed two days in Ziklag. 2And on the third day, behold, 3a man came from 4Saul’s camp 5with his clothes torn and 6dust on his head. And it happened when he came to David, 7he 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, “8How did things go? Please tell me.” And he said, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 5Then 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 9Mount Gilboa, and behold, 10Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen had overtaken him. 7When he looked behind himself, he saw me, and called to me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 8Then he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I 11answered him, ‘12I am an Amalekite.’ 9And he said to me, ‘Please stand next to me and finish me off, for 13agony has seized me because my 14life still lingers in me.’ 10So I stood next to him 15and finished him off, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And 16I took the crown which was on his head and the band which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

11Then 17David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. 12And they mourned and wept and 18fasted 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. 13Then David said to the young man who informed him, “Where are you from?” And he 19answered, “20I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.” 14And David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid 21to reach out with your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15Then David called one of the young men and said, “Come forward, 22put him to death.” 23So he struck him and he died. 16And David said to him, “2425Your blood is on your head, because 26your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have finished off the Lord’s anointed.’”

David’s Song of Mourning for Saul and Jonathan

17Then David 27sang this song of mourning over Saul and his son Jonathan, 18and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the mourning song of the bow; behold, it is written in 28the Book of Jashar.19“29Your beauty, Israel, is 30slaughtered on your high places! 31How the mighty have fallen!2032Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or 33the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of 34the uncircumcised will celebrate.2135Mountains of Gilboa, 36May there be no dew nor rain on you, or fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not 37anointed with oil.2238From the blood of those 39slaughtered, from the fat of the mighty, 40The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return 41unstained.23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in 42life, And in their deaths they were not separated; 43They were swifter than eagles, 44They were mightier than lions.24Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet, with jewelry, Who put gold jewelry on your apparel.2545How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is 46slaughtered on your high places.26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been 47a close friend to me. 48Your love for me was more wonderful Than the love of women.2749How the mighty have fallen, And 50the weapons of war have perished!”