1 ¶ Now 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;

Now after the death of Saul, David returned from killing the Amalekites and stayed two days in Ziklag.

2 i t 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.

On the third day, a man came from the tents of Saul. His clothes were torn and he had dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell with his face to the ground.

3 A nd David said unto him, Where dost thou come from? And he said unto him, I am escaped out of the camp of Israel.

David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he answered, “I have run away from the tents of Israel.”

4 A nd David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, The people fled from the battle, and many of the people fell and are dead, and Saul and Jonathan, his son, are dead also.

David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And the man said, “The people have run from the battle. Many have fallen and are dead. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead also.”

5 A nd David said unto the young man that told him, How dost thou know that Saul and Jonathan, his son, are dead?

David said to the young man, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”

6 A nd the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear, and the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

The young man said, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa. There I saw Saul holding himself up with his spear. The war-wagons and the horsemen were coming close after him.

7 A nd when he looked behind him, he saw me and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

When he looked behind him, he saw me. He called to me and I said, ‘Here I am.’

8 A nd he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered, ‘I am an Amalekite.’

9 H e said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me and slay me, for anguish is come upon me, and all my soul is yet in me.

Then he said to me, ‘I beg you, stand beside me and kill me. I am in pain, and yet I am still alive.’

10 S o I stood upon him and slew him because I was sure that he could not live after 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.

So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew he could not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown which was on his head and the beautiful gold band which he wore on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

11 ¶ Then David took hold on his clothes and rent them and likewise all the men that were with him.

Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.

12 A nd 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.

They cried in sorrow and did not eat until evening, because of Saul and his son Jonathan, and of the people of the Lord and of the family of Israel. For they had fallen by the sword.

13 A nd David said unto the young man that told him, From where art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

David said to the young man, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of one from another land, an Amalekite.”

14 A nd David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?

Then David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord’s chosen one?”

15 T hen David called one of the young men and said, Go near and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go, cut him down.” So he hit him and he died.

16 A nd David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head, for thy mouth has testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.

David said to him, “Your blood is on your head. Because your mouth has spoken against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s chosen one.’” David’s Song of Sorrow for Saul and Jonathan

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

Then David sang a song of sorrow for Saul and his son Jonathan.

18 ( He also bade them teach the sons of Judah the use of the bow. Behold, it is written in the book of righteousness.)

He told them to teach the song of the bow to the people of Judah. See, it is written in the book of Jashar.

19 T he glory of Israel is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!

“O Israel, your beauty is destroyed on your high places! How have the powerful fallen!

20 T ell 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.

Do not tell about it in Gath. Do not tell about it in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines might be filled with joy. The daughters of those who have not gone through our religious act might be filled with joy.

21 Y e 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.

O mountains of Gilboa, do not let the water that is on the grass in the early morning or rain be on you. Let not grass be grown on your fields. For there the covering of the powerful was made dirty, the covering of Saul, as if he had not been set apart with oil.

22 W ithout the blood of the slain, without the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul never returned empty.

The bow of Jonathan did not turn away. The sword of Saul did not return empty. They did not turn from the blood of the dead and the fat of the powerful.

23 S aul and Jonathan were loved and desired in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

Saul and Jonathan were loved and pleasing in their life. And they were not divided in their death. They were faster than eagles. They were stronger than lions.

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

O daughters of Israel, cry for Saul. He dressed you in fine red clothing. He put on your clothing objects of gold.

25 H ow are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

How have the powerful fallen in the center of the battle! Jonathan has been killed on your 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.

I am troubled because of you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasing to me. Your love to me was greater than the love of women.

27 H ow are the valiant fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

How have the powerful fallen, and the bows and swords of war destroyed!”