The Report of Saul’s Death
1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode 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 upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. torn; showed respect
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 upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. accidentally came
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, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. by; still lingers
10So I stood upon 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 upon 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 evening, 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, Where are you from? 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 upon him. And he smote him that he died. attack; struck
16And David said to him, Your blood be upon your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed. own words have
The Song of the Bow
17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18(Also he bid them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) urged
19The beauty of Israel is slain upon 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.
21Youp mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon youp, 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.
24Youp daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed youp in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon yourp apparel.
25How are the mighty fallen in the midst 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!
