1 Now it came about after1the death of Saul, when David had returned from 2the slaughter of the Amalekites, that Davidremainedtwodays in Ziklag.
2
On the thirdday, behold, 3a mancame out of the camp from Saul, 4with his clothestorn and [a]dust on his head. And it came about when he came to David that 5he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
3
Then Davidsaid to him, "From where do you come?" And he said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel."
4
Davidsaid to him, "6How did thingsgo? Pleasetell me." And he said, "The people have fled from the battle, and alsomany of the people have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are deadalso."
5
So Davidsaid to the youngman who told him, "How do you know that Saul and his sonJonathan are dead?"
6
The youngman who told him said, "By chance I happened to be on 7MountGilboa, and behold, 8Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemenpursued him closely.
7
"When he lookedbehind him, he saw me and called to me. And I said, 'Here I am.'
8
"He said to me, 'Who are you?' And I [b]answered him, '9I am an Amalekite.'
9
"Then he said to me, 'Pleasestandbeside me and kill me, for agony has seized me because my [c]lifestill lingers in me.'
10
"So I stoodbeside him 10and killed him, because I knew that he could not liveafter he had fallen. And 11I took the crownwhich was on his head and the braceletwhich was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord."
11
Then 12Davidtookhold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the menwho were with him.
12
They mourned and wept and 13fasteduntilevening for Saul and his sonJonathan and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13
Davidsaid to the youngman who told him, "Where are you from?" And he [d]answered, "14I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite."
14
Then Davidsaid to him, "How is it you were not afraid15to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD'Sanointed?"
15
And Davidcalledone of the youngmen and said, "Go, [e]cut him down." 16So he struck him and he died.
16
Davidsaid to him, "17Your blood is on your head, for 18your mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD'Sanointed.' "
David's Dirge for Saul and Jonathan
17 Then David19chanted with thislamentoverSaul and Jonathan his son,
18
and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in 20the book of Jashar.
19
"[f]Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your highplaces! 21How have the mightyfallen!
20
"22Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or23the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of 24the uncircumcised will exult.
21
"25O mountains of Gilboa, 26Let not dew or rain be on you, norfields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not 27anointed with oil.
22
"28From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, 29The bow of Jonathan did not turnback, And the sword of Saul did not returnempty.
23
"Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; 30They were swifterthaneagles, 31They were strongerthanlions.
24
"O daughters of Israel, weepoverSaul, Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, Who putornaments of gold on your apparel.
25
"32How have the mightyfallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your highplaces.
26
"I am distressed for you, my brotherJonathan; You have been verypleasant to me. 33Your love to me was morewonderfulThan the love of women.
27
"34How have the mightyfallen, And 35the weapons of warperished!"