2 Samuel 1
1 After Saul’s death, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag for two days.
2 On the third day, a man arrived from the camp where Saul was, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and bowed low.
3 David asked him, “Where have you come from?” He answered, “I escaped from the camp of Israel.”
4 David asked, “What happened? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people fled from the battle. Many of the people fell and died, and Saul and his son Jonathan also died.”
5 David said to the young man who brought him the news, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6 The young man who brought him the news answered, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, while the chariots and horsemen were close behind him.
7 He looked back, saw me, and called to me. I said, ‘Here I am.’
8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered, ‘I am an Amalekite.’
9 He said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, because agony has seized me, though my life is still in me.’
10 So I stood beside him and killed him, for I knew he would not live after he fell. I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”
11 David seized his clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.
12 They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, for his son Jonathan, for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13 David asked the young man who had brought him the news, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a resident foreigner, an Amalekite.”
14 David said to him, “How were you not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the anointed of the LORD?”
15 David called one of the young men and said, “Come here and strike him down.” The young man struck him, and he died.
16 David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head, for your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the anointed of the LORD.’”
17 David sang this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.
18 He ordered the people of Judah to be taught the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar.
19 The glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the warriors have fallen!
20 Do not tell it in Gath; do not announce it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
21 Mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings; for there the shield of the warriors was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the warriors, Jonathan’s bow did not turn back; Saul’s sword did not return empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan, loved and cherished in life, were not parted in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who dressed you in scarlet and finery, who put ornaments of gold on your clothes.
25 How the warriors have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more than the love of women.
27 How the warriors have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!
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