Saul’s Death Reported to David
(1 Samuel 31:1–6; 1 Chronicles 10:1–6)

1And it came to pass after the death of Saul that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekite. And David stayed in Ziklag two days. 2And it came to pass on the third day that behold, a man came from the camp of Saul with his clothes torn and dust on his head. And it came to pass, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and bowed low.

3And David said to him, “From where have you come?”

And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”

4And David said to him, “What is the report? Please tell me.”

And he answered, “That people have fled from the battle, and many are fallen of the people and died. And also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.”

5And David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”

6And the young man who told him said, “I happened to meet on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7And he looked behind him, and he saw me and called to me, and I answered, ‘Behold.’

8And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’

And I said to him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’

9And he said to me, ‘Stand, please, over me and kill me, for the anguish has seized me, but all my life is in me still.’

10And I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the diadem that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them to my lord here.”

11And David took hold on his garments and tore them, and also all the men who were with him. 12And they mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of YHWH, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

13And David said to the young man who told him, “From where are you?”

And he answered, “I am a son of a sojourning man, an Amalekite.”

14And David said to him, “How were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the anointed of YHWH?” 15And David called one of the young men and said, “Go near and fall upon him.” And he struck him, and he died. 16And David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head. For your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the anointed of YHWH.’”

David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan

17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18and he told them to teach the sons of Judah “The bow.”† Behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar:†

19“The beauty, O Israel, on your high places is slain.

How the mighty have fallen!

20Declare it not in Gath,

proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,

lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,

lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21O Mountains of Gilboa,

no dew nor rain be upon you⁺,

nor fields of offerings.†

For there is cast away the shield of the mighty,

the shield of Saul, not anointed with the oil.

22From 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.

23Saul and Jonathan were beloved and delightful in their lives,

and in their death they were not divided.

Than eagles they were swifter,

than lions they were stronger.

24O Daughters of Israel,

weep over Saul,

who clothed you⁺ in scarlet with luxury,

who put ornaments of gold on your⁺ apparel.

25How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!

Jonathan was slain on your high places.

26I Am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.

You have been very pleasant to me;

your love was wonderful to me,

surpassing the love of women.

27How the mighty have fallen,

and the weapons of war have perished!”