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 had 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. 3And David said to him, From whence comest thou? And he said to him, Out of the camp of Israel have I escaped. 4And David said to him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen, and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 5And David said to the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are 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. 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 art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9He said to me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he had fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither 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 had fallen by the sword. 13And David said to the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 14And David said to him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy 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. 16And David said to him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, 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 upon thy 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.

21Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither rain upon 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.

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

25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan thou wast slain in thy high places.

26I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been to me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

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