David Learns of Saul's Death

(1 Samuel 31:1-6; 1 Chronicles 10:1-6)

1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag; 2It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. 3And David said to him, From where come you? And he said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4And David said to him, How went the matter? I pray you, tell me. And he answered, That 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. 5And David said to the young man that told him, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? 6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance on mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned on his spear; and, see, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, Here am I. 8And he said to me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9He said to me again, Stand, I pray you, on me, and slay me: for anguish is come on me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10So I stood on him, and slew 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.

11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 13And David said to the young man that told him, From where are you? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 14And David said to him, How were you not afraid to stretch forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed? 15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall on him. And he smote him that he died. 16And David said to him, Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed.

David's Song for Saul and Jonathan

17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

19The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places: how are the mighty fallen!

20Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, on you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold on your apparel.

25How are the mighty fallen in the middle of the battle! O Jonathan, you were slain in your high places.

26I 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.

27How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!