Responses to Saul’s Death

1After the death of Saul,a David returned from defeating the Amalekitesb and stayed at Ziklag two days. 2On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his headc came from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. 3David asked him, “Where have you come from? ”

He replied to him, “I’ve escaped from the Israelite camp.”

4“What was the outcome? Tell me,” David asked him.

“The troops fled from the battle,” he answered. “Many of the troops have fallen and are dead. Also, Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”d

5David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead? ”

6“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,”e he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear. At that very moment the chariots and the cavalry were closing in on him. 7When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, so I answered: I’m at your service. 8He asked me, ‘Who are you? ’ I told him: I’m an Amalekite.f 9Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded,g but my life still lingers.’h 10So I stood over him and killed him because I knew that after he had fallen he couldn’t survive. I took the crown that was on his head and the armband that was on his arm, and I’ve brought them here to my lord.”

11Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them,i and all the men with him did the same. 12They mourned, wept, and fasted until the eveningj for those who died by the sword — for Saul, his son Jonathan, the LORD’s people, and the house of Israel.

13David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from? ”

“I’m the son of a foreigner,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”

14David questioned him, “How is it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed? ”k 15Then David summoned one of his servants and said, “Come here and kill him! ” The servant struck him, and he died.l 16For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood is on your own headm because your own mouth testified against you by saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’ ”

17David sang the following lamentn for Saul and his son Jonathan, 18and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:o, p

19The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights.

How the mighty have fallen!

20Do not tell it in Gath,

don’t announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon,

or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,q

and the daughters of the uncircumcised will gloat.

21Mountains of Gilboa,

let no dew or rain be on you,

or fields of offerings,r

for there the shield of the mighty was defileds —

the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.t

22Jonathan’s bow never retreated,

Saul’s sword never returned unstained,u

from the blood of the slain,

from the bodies of the mighty.

23Saul and Jonathan,

loved and delightful,

they were not parted in life or in death.

They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

24Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,

who clothed you in scarlet, with luxurious things,

who decked your garments with gold ornaments.v

25How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle!

Jonathan lies slain on your heights.

26I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother.

You were such a friend to me.

Your love for me was more wonderful

than the love of women.w

27How the mighty have fallen

and the weapons of war have perished!