1It happened after the death of Saul, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and he stayed two days in Ziklag. 2It happened on the third day, that, look, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And it came about when he came to David that he fell to the ground and paid homage. 3David said to him, "Where do you come from?" He said to him, "I have escaped out of the camp of Israel." 4David said to him, "How did it go? Please tell me." He answered, "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." 5David said to the young man who had told him this, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?" 6Then the young man replied, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa and saw Saul leaning on his spear. And look, the chariots and the horsemen were closing in on him. 7When he turned around he saw me, and called to me. I answered, 'Here I am.' 8He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.' 9He said to me, 'Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, yet there is life in me still.' 10So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord."

11Then David grabbed his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. 12They 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. 13David said to the young man who had told him, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite." 14David said to him, "How is it that you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" 15David called one of the young men, and said, "Go near, and fall on him." He struck him, so that he died. 16David said to him, "Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.'"

17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18and said it should be taught to the people of Judah. Look, it is written in the book of Jashar.

19"Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places. How the mighty have fallen.

20Do not tell it in Gath. Do not publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised celebrate.

21You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, nor fields of offerings. For there the shield of the mighty was dishonored. The shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan's bow did not retreat. Saul's sword did not return empty.

23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely, not separated. Lovely in their life, and in their death they were not separated. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions.

24You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle. Jonathan is slain on your high places.

26I grieve for you, my brother. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love for me was a wonder, more than the love of women.

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