Responses to Saul’s Death
1After the death of Saul,1:1 1Sm 31:1–5 David returned from defeating the Amalekites1:1 1Sm 30:1–20 and stayed at Ziklag two days.
2On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head1:2 Jos 7:6; 1Sm 4:12 came from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.
3David asked him, “Where have you come from?”
He replied to him, “I’ve escaped from the Israelite camp.”
4“What was the outcome? Tell me,” David asked him.
“The troops fled from the battle,” he answered. “Many of the troops have fallen and are dead. Also, Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”1:4 1Sm 31:6
5David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,”1:6–10 1Sm 31:1–5; 1Ch 10:1–6 he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear. At that very moment the chariots and the cavalry were closing in on him.
7When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, so I answered: I’m at your service.
8He asked me, ‘Who are you? ’ I told him: I’m an Amalekite.1:8 Gn 36:12,16; Ex 17:8–16; Nm 24:20; Dt 25:19; 1Sm 15:1–34; 30:1–20; 1Ch 1:36
9Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded,1:9 LXX reads for terrible darkness has taken hold of me but my life still lingers.’1:9 Jdg 9:54
10So I stood over him and killed him because I knew that after he had fallen he couldn’t survive. I took the crown that was on his head and the armband that was on his arm, and I’ve brought them here to my lord.”
13David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?”
“I’m the son of a resident alien,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”
14David questioned him, “How is it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 1:14 1Sm 24:6; 26:6–12; 31:4
15Then David summoned one of his servants and said, “Come here and kill him!” The servant struck him, and he died.1:15 2Sm 4:10
16For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood is on your own head1:16 Jos 2:19; Mt 27:24–25; Ac 18:5–6 because your own mouth testified against you by saying, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’”
17David sang the following lament1:17 2Sm 3:33; 2Ch 35:24–25 for Saul and his son Jonathan,
18and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:1:18 Or of the Upright1:18 Jos 10:12–13
19The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights.
How the mighty have fallen!
20Do not tell it in Gath,
don’t announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon,
or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,1:20 1Sm 31:8–9
and the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.
21Mountains of Gilboa,
let no dew or rain be on you,
or fields of offerings,1:21 LXX reads firstfruits
for there the shield of the mighty was defiled1:21 1Sm 31:4 —
the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.1:21 1Sm 10:1
22Jonathan’s bow never retreated,
Saul’s sword never returned unstained,1:22 Lit empty
from the blood of the slain,
from the flesh1:22 Lit fat of the mighty.
23Saul and Jonathan,
loved and delightful,
they were not parted in life or in death.
They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
24Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet, with luxurious things,
who decked your garments with gold ornaments.1:24 Ezk 16:1–11
25How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle!
Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother.
You were such a friend to me.
Your love for me was more wondrous
than the love of women.1:26 1Sm 18:1–3
27How the mighty have fallen
and the weapons of war have perished!
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