2 Samuel

1And 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;💡

2it 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.💡

3And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.💡

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

5And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?💡

6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.💡

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

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

9And he said unto me, Stand, I pray thee, beside me, and slay me; for anguish hath taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.💡

10So I stood beside him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that 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 hither unto my lord.💡

11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:💡

12and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.💡

13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.💡

14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah's anointed?💡

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

16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed.💡

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

18(and he bade them teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):💡

19Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!💡

20Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.💡

21Ye mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.💡

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.💡

23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided: They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.💡

24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.💡

25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.💡

26I 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.💡

27How are the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!💡