Saul’s Death Reported to David
And it was, after the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, that David stayed in Ziklag two days.
And it was on the third day — look, a man coming from the camp, from Saul, with his garments torn and earth on his head. And it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
And David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”
And David said to him, “What happened? Tell me, please.” And he said: “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people fell and died; and also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.”
And David said to the young man who was telling him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”
And the young man who was telling him said: “I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa — and look, Saul leaning on his spear; and look, the chariots and the masters of horsemen pressing hard after him.
And he turned behind him and saw me, and called to me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’
And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I said to him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’
And he said to me, ‘Stand over me, please, and put me to death — for the dizziness has seized me, yet all my life is still in me.’
So I stood over him and put him to death, for I knew that he could not live after his fall. And I took the crown that was on his head, and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”
And David took hold of his garments and tore them — and so did all the men who were with him.
And they lamented, and wept, and fasted until the evening for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel — because they had fallen by the sword.
And David said to the young man who was telling him, “Where are you from?” And he said, “I am the son of a resident foreigner, an Amalekite.”
And David said to him, “How were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the anointed of the LORD?”
And David called one of the young men and said, “Approach — strike him down.” And he struck him, and he died.
And David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head — for your own mouth answered against you, saying, ‘I put to death the anointed of the LORD.’”
David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan
And David lamented this lament over Saul and over Jonathan his son,
and he said it was to teach the sons of Judah the Bow — look, it is written in the Book of Jashar:
“The splendor, O Israel, lies slain on your high places. How the mighty have fallen!
Do not tell it in Gath; do not carry the news in the streets of Ashkelon — lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
Mountains of Gilboa — let there be no dew and no rain on you, no fields of offerings. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.
Saul and Jonathan — beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death not divided. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.
Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul — who clothed you in scarlet with delights, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.
How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
I am in distress over you, my brother Jonathan. You were very pleasant to me; your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women.
How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!”