1:3 David asked him, “Where are you coming from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 1:4 David inquired, “How were things going? 1 Tell me!” He replied, “The people fled from the battle and many of them 2 fell dead. 3 Even Saul and his son Jonathan are dead!” 1:5 David said to the young man 4 who was telling him this, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 5 1:6 The young man who was telling him this 6 said, “I just happened to be on Mount Gilboa and came across Saul leaning on his spear for support. The chariots and leaders of the horsemen were in hot pursuit of him. 1:7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me. I answered, ‘Here I am!’ 1:8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him, ‘I’m 7 an Amalekite.’ 1:9 He said to me, ‘Stand over me and finish me off! 8 I’m very dizzy, 9 even though I’m still alive.’ 10 1:10 So I stood over him and put him to death, since I knew that he couldn’t live in such a condition. 11 Then I took the crown which was on his head and the 12 bracelet which was on his arm. I have brought them here to my lord.” 13
1:11 David then grabbed his own clothes 14 and tore them, as did all the men who were with him. 1:12 They lamented and wept and fasted until evening because Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel had fallen by the sword.
1:13 David said to the young man who told this to him, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am an Amalekite, the son of a resident foreigner.” 15 1:14 David replied to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 1:15 Then David called one of the soldiers 16 and said, “Come here and strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. 1:16 David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head! Your own mouth has testified against you, saying ‘I have put the Lord’s anointed to death.’”
1:17 Then David chanted this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan. 1:18 (He gave instructions that the people of Judah should be taught “The Bow.” 17 Indeed, it is written down in the Book of Yashar.) 18
1:19 The beauty 19 of Israel lies slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
1:20 Don’t report it in Gath,
don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, 20
or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!
1:21 O mountains of Gilboa,
may there be no dew or rain on you, nor fields of grain offerings! 21
For it was there that the shield of warriors was defiled; 22
the shield of Saul lies neglected without oil. 23
1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors,
the bow of Jonathan was not turned away.
The sword of Saul never returned 24 empty.
1:23 Saul and Jonathan were greatly loved 25 during their lives,
and not even in their deaths were they separated.
They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
1:24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet 26 as well as jewelry,
who put gold jewelry on your clothes.
1:25 How the warriors have fallen
in the midst of battle!
Jonathan lies slain on your high places!
1:26 I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan!
You were very dear to me.
Your love was more special to me than the love of women.
1:27 How the warriors have fallen!
The weapons of war 27 are destroyed!