1. |
And 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; |
2. |
it came 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. |
3. |
And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. |
4. |
And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, 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. |
5. |
And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead? |
6. |
And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him. |
7. |
And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. |
8. |
And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. |
9. |
And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me; for anguish hath taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me. |
10. |
So I stood beside 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 hither unto my lord. |
11. |
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: |
12. |
and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. |
13. |
And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite. |
14. |
And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah's anointed? |
15. |
And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him, so that he died. |
16. |
And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed. |
17. |
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: |
18. |
(and he bade them teach the children of Judah `the song of' the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar): |
19. |
Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen! |
20. |
Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. |
21. |
Ye mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. |
22. |
From 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. |
23. |
Saul 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. |
24. |
Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. |
25. |
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places. |
26. |
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Thy love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women. |
27. |
How are the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished! |