David Learns 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 torn, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and paid him honor.

3And David said unto him, From where come you? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray you, 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.

5And David said unto the young man that told him, How know you 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 unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8And he said unto me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9He said unto 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.

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 unto my lord.

11Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore 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 unto 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 unto 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 struck him so that he died.

16And David said unto him, Your blood be upon your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.

David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan

17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18Also he told them to 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 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, 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.

24You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your 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 unto me: your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

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