1: It happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2: it happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. 3: David said to him, From whence come you? He said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4: David said to him, How went the matter? Please tell me. He answered, The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 5: David said to the young man who told him, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead? 6: 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 hard after him. 7: When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, Here am I. 8: He said to me, Who are you? I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9: He said to me, Stand, I pray you, beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10: So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and 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: Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with him: 12: and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 13: David said to the young man who told him, Whence are you? He answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite. 14: David said to him, How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy Yahweh's anointed? 15: David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall on him. He struck him, so that he died. 16: 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: David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son 18: (and he bade them teach the children of Judah [the song of] the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar): 19: Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How are the mighty fallen! 20: 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: You mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22: From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan didn't turn back, The sword of Saul didn't return empty. 23: 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: You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold on your clothing. 25: How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. 26: I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant have you been to me: Your love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women. 27: How are the mighty fallen, The weapons of war perished!
