King James Version

1 And it was after the death of Saul, and David returned from striking the Amalekites and David stayed in Ziklag for two days. 2 And it came to pass on the third day, and behold, a man came from the camp of Saul, and his clothes were torn, and earth was on his head; and it was when he came to David that he fell on the ground and prostrated himself. 3 And David said to him, "Where do you come from?" And he said to me, "From the camp of Israel I have escaped." 4 And David said to me, “What was the matter? Please tell me.” And I said, “The people fled from the battle, and many fell among the people and died. Also Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.” 5 And David said to the young man who was telling him, “How did you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?” 6 And the young man who was reporting to him said, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were closing in on him." 7 And he turned behind him and saw me and called to me, and I said, "Here I am." 8 And he said to me, "Who are you?" And I said to him, "I am a Amalekite." 9 And he said to me, "Stand by me, and you will kill me, for the seizure has taken hold of me, for all my soul is still in me." 10 And I stood over him and said, "Surely I know that he will not live after his fall," and I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and I brought them to my lord. 11 And David took hold of his garments and tore them, and also all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until 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. 13 And David said to the young man who told him, "Where are you from?" And he said, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite." 14 And David said to me, "How were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the anointed of the LORD?" 15 And David called one of the young men and said, "Go, strike him." So he struck him, and he died. 16 And David said to me, "Your blood is on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the Lord's anointed.'" 17 And David lamented this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son. 18 And he said to teach the sons of Judah, "The bow, behold, it is written in the book of the upright." 19 The glory of Israel is slain on your high places; how have the mighty fallen? 20 Do not tell in Gath, do not proclaim in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 21 O mountain of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was cast aside, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22 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. 23 Saul and Jonathan, the beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not separated; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24 Daughters of Israel wept over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with coveted ornaments, who put on garments of gold over your clothing. 25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places. 26 Your love for me is wonderful, surpassing the love of women. 27 How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished.