1 A nd it cometh to pass, after the death of Saul, that David hath returned from smiting the Amalekite, and David dwelleth in Ziklag two days,

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

2 a nd it cometh to pass, on the third day, that lo, a man hath come in out of the camp from Saul, and his garments rent, and earth on his head; and it cometh to pass, in his coming in unto David, that he falleth to the earth, and doth 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 saith to him, `Whence comest thou?' and he saith unto him, `Out of the camp of Israel I have escaped.'

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 saith unto him, `What hath been the matter? declare, I pray thee, to me.' And he saith, that `The people hath fled from the battle, and also a multitude hath fallen of the people, and they die; and also Saul and Jonathan his son have died.'

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 saith unto the youth who is declaring to him, `How hast thou known that Saul and Jonathan his son dead?'

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

6 A nd the youth who is declaring to him saith, I happened to meet in mount Gilboa, and lo, Saul is leaning on his spear; and lo, the chariots and those possessing horses have followed 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 he turneth behind him, and seeth me, and calleth unto me, and I say, Here I.

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

8 A nd he saith to me, Who thou? and I say unto him, An Amalekite I.'

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

9 ` And he saith unto me, Stand, I pray thee, over me, and put me to death, for seized me hath the arrow, for all my soul still 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 A nd I stand over him, and put him to death, for I knew that he doth not live after his falling, and I take the crown which on his head, and the bracelet which on his arm, and bring them in unto my lord hither.'

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 A nd David taketh hold on his garments, and rendeth them, and also all the men who 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 mourn, and weep, and fast till the evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel, because they have 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 saith unto the youth who is declaring to him, `Whence thou?' and he saith, `Son of a sojourner, an Amalekite, I.'

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 saith unto him, `How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy the anointed of Jehovah?'

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

15 A nd David calleth to one of the youths, and saith, `Draw nigh -- fall upon him;' and he smiteth him, and he dieth;

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 saith unto him, `Thy blood on thine own head, for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I -- I put to death the anointed of Jehovah.'

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 A nd David lamenteth with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son;

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

18 a nd he saith to teach the sons of Judah `The Bow;' lo, it is written on the book of the Upright: --

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 ` The Roebuck, O Israel, On thy high places wounded; How have the mighty fallen!

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

20 D eclare not in Gath, Proclaim not the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon, Lest they rejoice -- The daughters of the Philistines, Lest they exult -- The daughters of the Uncircumcised!

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 M ountains of Gilboa! No dew nor rain be on you, And fields of heave-offerings! For there hath become loathsome The shield of the mighty, The shield of Saul -- without the 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 F rom the blood of the wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Hath not turned backward; And the sword of Saul doth not return 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! They are loved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they have not been parted. Than eagles they have been lighter, Than lions they have been mightier!

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 D aughters of Israel! for Saul weep ye, Who is clothing you scarlet with delights. Who is lifting up ornaments of gold on your clothing.

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 have the mighty fallen In the midst of the battle! Jonathan! on thy high places wounded!

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

26 I am in distress for thee, my brother Jonathan, Very pleasant wast thou to me; Wonderful was thy love to me, Above 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 have the mighty fallen, Yea, the weapons of war perish!'

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