2 Samuel 1

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

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

2 and it cometh to pass, on the third day, that lo, a man hath come in out of the camp from Saul, and his garments [are] 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 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 And 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 did you come from?” He answered, “I escaped from the camp of Israel.”

4 And 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, “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 And David saith unto the youth who is declaring [it] to him, 'How hast thou known 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 And the youth who is declaring [it] 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 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 and he turneth behind him, and seeth me, and calleth unto me, and I say, Here [am] I.

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

8 And he saith to me, Who [art] thou? and I say unto him, An Amalekite I [am].'

He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, '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 [is] still in me.

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 And 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 [is] on his head, and the bracelet which [is] on his arm, and bring them in unto my lord hither.'

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 And David taketh hold on his garments, and rendeth them, and also all the men who [are] with him,

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

12 and 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 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 And David saith unto the youth who is declaring [it] to him, 'Whence [art] thou?' and he saith, 'Son of a sojourner, an Amalekite, I [am].'

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

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

15 And David calleth to one of the youths, and saith, 'Draw nigh — fall upon him;' and he smiteth him, and he dieth;

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 and David saith unto him, 'Thy blood [is] on thine own head, for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I — I put to death the anointed of Jehovah.'

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

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

18 and he saith to teach the sons of Judah 'The Bow;' lo, it is written on the book of the Upright: —

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 'The Roebuck, O Israel, On thy high places [is] wounded; How have the mighty fallen!

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

20 Declare [it] 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 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 Mountains 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.

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 wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Hath not turned backward; And the sword of Saul doth 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! 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 gracious in life, and in their death they were not separated. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 Daughters of Israel! for Saul weep ye, Who is clothing you [in] scarlet with delights. Who is lifting up 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 have the mighty fallen In the midst of the battle! Jonathan! on thy high places wounded!

How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is 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 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 have the mighty fallen, Yea, the weapons of war perish!'

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