2 Samuel 1

1 It happened after the death of Saul, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and he stayed two days in Ziklag.

After the death of Saul, David returned from attacking the Amalekites and remained in Ziklag for two days.

2 It 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.

On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he came to David he lay facedown on the ground and prostrated himself.

3 David said to him, "Where do you come from?" He said to him, "I have escaped out of the camp of Israel."

David said to him, “Where did you come from?” He answered, “I escaped from the camp of Israel.”

4 David 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."

David said to him, “Please tell me how things went.” He answered, “The people fled from the battle. Many have fallen and many are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead.”

5 David said to the young man who had told him this, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?"

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

6 The young man who told him said, "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.

The young man replied, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there Saul was leaning on his spear, and chariots and riders were about to catch up with him.

7 When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'

Saul turned around and saw me and called out to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'

8 He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'

He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'

9 He said to me, 'Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, yet there is life in me still.'

He said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me, for great suffering has taken hold of me, but life is still in me.'

10 So 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."

So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that he would not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and brought them here to you, my master.”

11 Then David grabbed his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same.

Then David tore his clothes, and all the men with him did the same.

12 They mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of YHWH, and for the house of Israel; because they had fallen by the sword.

They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, for Jonathan his son, for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel because they had fallen by the sword.

13 David said to the young man who had told him, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite."

David said to the young man, “Where are you from?” He answered, “I am the son of a foreigner in the land, an Amalekite.”

14 David said to him, "How is it that you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy YHWH's anointed?"

David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to kill Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?”

15 David called one of the young men, and said, "Go near, and fall on him." He struck him, so that he died.

David called one of the young men and said, “Go and kill him.” So that man went and struck him down, and the Amalekite died.

16 David said to him, "Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed YHWH's anointed.'"

Then David said to the dead Amalekite, “Your blood is on your head because your own mouth has testified against you and said, 'I have killed Yahweh's anointed king.'”

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

Then David sung this funeral song about Saul and Jonathan his son.

18 and said it should be taught to the people of Judah. Look, it is written in the book of Jashar.

He commanded the people to teach this Song of the Bow to the sons of Judah, which has been written in the Book of Jashar.

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

“Your glory, Israel, is dead, killed on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!

20 Do 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.

Do not tell it in Gath, do not proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, so that the daughters of the Philistines may not rejoice, so that the daughters of the uncircumcised may not celebrate.

21 You 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.

Mountains of Gilboa, let there not be dew or rain on you, nor fields giving grain for offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled. The shield of Saul is no longer anointed with oil.

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

From the blood of those who have been killed, from the bodies of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

23 Saul 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.

Saul and Jonathan were loved and gracious in life, and in their death they were not separated. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

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

You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewels, and who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

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

How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is killed on your high places.

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

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You were very dear to me. Your love to me was wonderful, exceeding the love of women.

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

How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”