1 After Saul died, David came back from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.
2 On the third day a man arrived from the camp, from Saul's side, his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he reached David, he dropped to the ground and paid homage.
3 David asked him, "Where have you come from?" He told him, "I got away from the camp of Israel."
4 David said to him, "What happened? Tell me." He said, "The troops ran from the battle; many of the troops fell and died, and Saul and his son Jonathan are dead as well."
5 David asked the young man who brought him the news, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"
6 The young man who brought him the news said, "I just happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul propped on his spear, and the chariots and the horsemen had caught up with him.
7 He looked back, saw me, and called to me. I said, 'Here I am.'
8 He asked me, 'Who are you?' I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'
9 He said to me, 'Come stand over me and kill me, for agony has gripped me, though my life is still all in me.'
10 So I stood over him and killed him, since I knew he could not live once he had fallen. I took the crown on his head and the band on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord."
11 David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same.
12 They mourned, wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the LORD's people and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13 David asked the young man who brought him the news, "Where are you from?" He said, "I am the son of a resident foreigner, an Amalekite."
14 David said to him, "How is it you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?"
15 David called one of the young men and said, "Come here and cut him down." He struck him, and he died.
16 David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your mouth bore witness against you when you said, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.'"
17 David sang this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan,
18 and gave orders to teach the children of Judah "The Bow"; it is written in the Book of Jashar:
19 "The glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your heights! How the mighty have fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, do not spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.
21 Mountains of Gilboa, may there be no dew or rain on you, no fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was cast away in shame, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan's bow never turned back, and Saul's sword never came home empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan, loved and gracious in life, were not divided in death. Swifter than eagles they were, stronger than lions.
24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who dressed you in scarlet and finery, who decked your clothing with gold ornaments.
25 How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan lies slain upon your heights.
26 I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan; you were dear to me beyond measure. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women.
27 How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war are lost!"