2 Samuel

VIN(i) 1 After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and he stayed at Ziklag two days. 2 On the third day, a man came from the camp from being with Saul, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and bowed down. 3 David asked: "Where did you come from?" The man answered: "I escaped from Israel’s army." 4 "How did the battle go?" David asked. The man said: "Our army turned and ran. Many were wounded and died. King Saul and his son Jonathan are dead." 5 And David said to the young man who told him, How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead? 6 He answered: »I was on Mount Gilboa. I saw Saul leaning on his spear. The chariots and cavalry of the enemy closed in on him. 7 When he turned around and saw me, he called to me, and I said, 'Here I am.' 8 He asked me, 'Who are you?' So I answered him, 'I'm an Amalekite!' 9 "'Then he said: 'Come here and kill me! I am badly wounded and about to die.' 10 So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew he would not live after he had fallen; and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was upon his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord. 11 David and all his men tore their clothes in sorrow. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening, for Saul, and for his son Jonathan, 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 brought the news to him, Where are you from? And he said, I am the son of an Amalekite sojourner. 14 David said to him, "How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" 15 David called one of the young men and said: »Execute him!« So he struck him and he died. 16 David said to him, "Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you by saying, 'I killed the LORD's anointed one!'" 17 So David intoned this song of lament about Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 He told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow. It is written in the book of Jashar: 19 "Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places. How the mighty have fallen. 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph 21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor fields whence heave offerings come: For there the shields of the mighty were cast from them, the shield of Saul as though he had not been 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! They were beloved and delightful in their lives; and in their death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 24 Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul! He clothed you in scarlet luxury and decorated your garments with gold. 25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle; Jonathan lies slain on your high places. 26 I am grieved for you, my brother Jonathan; you were very lovely to me; your love to me was wonderful beyond the love of women. 27 How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!”