Chapter 1
1 After the death of Saul , when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites , and David had stayed two days in Ziklag ,
2 on the third day , behold , ", 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 .
3 David said to him , " Where do you come from ?" He said to him , " I have escaped out of the camp of Israel ."
4 David said to him , " How did it go ? Please tell me ." He answered , " The people have fled from the battle , and many of the people also have fallen and are dead . Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also ."
5 David said to the young man who told him , " How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead ?"
6 The 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 .
7 When he looked behind him , he saw me and called to me . I answered, ‘ Here I am .’
8 He said to me, ‘ Who are you ?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite .’
9 He said to me , ‘ Please stand beside me , and kill me , for anguish has taken hold of me because my life lingers in me .’
10 So 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."
11 Then David took hold on his clothes and tore them ; and all the men who were with him did likewise .
12 They mourned , wept , and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son , and for the people of the LORD , ", usually pronounced Yahweh). and for the house of Israel , because they had fallen by the sword .
13 David said to the young man who told him , " Where are you from ?" He answered , " I am the son of a foreigner , an Amalekite ."
14 David said to him , " Why were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD ’s anointed ?"
15 David called one of the young men and said , " Go near , and cut him down !" He struck him so that he died .
16 David said to him , " Your blood be on your head , for your mouth has testified against you , saying , ‘ I have slain the LORD ’s anointed .’"
17 David 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 ! How the mighty have fallen !
20 Don’t tell it in Gath . Don’t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice , lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph .
21 You mountains of Gilboa , let there be no dew or rain on you , and no fields of offerings ; for there the shield of the mighty was defiled and cast away , the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil .
22 From the blood of the slain , from the fat of the mighty , Jonathan ’s bow didn’t turn back . Saul ’s sword didn’t return empty .
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives . In their death , they were not divided . They were swifter than eagles . They were stronger than lions.
24 You daughters of Israel , weep over Saul , who clothed you delicately in scarlet , who put ornaments of gold on your clothing .
25 How the mighty have fallen in the middle of the battle ! Jonathan was slain on your high places .
26 I am distressed for you , my brother Jonathan . You have been very pleasant to me . Your love to me was wonderful , surpassing the love of women.
27 How the mighty have fallen , and the weapons of war have perished!"