1After the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag,
2on the third day, behold,1:2 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the earth and showed respect.
3David said to him, “Where do you come from?”
4David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.”
5David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”
6The young man who told him said, “As I happened by chance on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning on his spear; and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed close behind him.
7When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. I answered, ‘Here I am.’
8He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’
9He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me, for anguish has taken hold of me because my life lingers in me.’
10So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. 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.”
11Then David took hold on his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did likewise.
12They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD,1:12 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name. and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?”
14David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”
15David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and cut him down!” He struck him so that he died.
16David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain the LORD’s anointed.’”
17David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son
18(and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):
19“Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places!
20Don’t tell it in Gath.
21You mountains of Gilboa,
22From the blood of the slain,
23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives.
24You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
25How the mighty have fallen in the middle of the battle!
26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.
27How the mighty have fallen,