David Learns About Saul’s Death
1 Now Saul was dead. After David had ·defeated [slaughtered; been victorious over] the Amalekites, he returned to Ziklag and stayed there two days. 2 On the third day a young man from Saul’s camp came to Ziklag. ·To show his sadness, [L …and] his clothes were torn and he had dirt on his head. He came and ·bowed facedown on the ground [L fell to the ground and prostrated himself] before David.
3 David asked him, “Where did you come from?”
The man answered, “I escaped from the Israelite camp.”
4 David asked him, “·What happened [How did things go]? Please tell me!”
The man answered, “The ·people [army; men] have ·run away [fled] from the battle, and many of them have fallen and are dead. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead also.”
5 David asked him, “How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6 The young man answered, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa. There I saw Saul leaning on his spear. The Philistine chariots and the ·men riding in them [charioteers; or horsemen; cavalry] were ·coming closer to Saul [closing in on him]. 7 When he looked back and saw me, he called to me. I answered him, ‘Here I am!’
8 “Then Saul asked me, ‘Who are you?’
“I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’
9 “Then Saul said to me, ‘Please come here and ·kill me [put me out of my misery]. I am ·badly hurt [in the throes of death; L convulsions have seized me] and ·am almost dead already [yet my life still lingers].’
10 “So I ·went over [L stood beside/over him] and killed him. He had ·been hurt so badly [L fallen and] I knew he couldn’t live. Then I took the crown from his head and the ·bracelet [band] from his arm, and I have brought them here to you, my ·master [lord].”
11 Then David tore his clothes [C a sign of mourning or distress] and all the men with him did also. 12 They ·were very sad [mourned] and cried and fasted until evening. They cried for Saul and his son Jonathan and for all the people of the Lord and for all the ·Israelites [L house of Israel] who had ·died in the battle [L had fallen by the sword].
David Orders the Amalekite Killed
13 David asked the young man who brought the report, “Where are you from?”
The young man answered, “I am the son of a ·foreigner [resident alien], an Amalekite.”
14 David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to ·kill [lift your hand and destroy] the Lord’s ·appointed king [anointed]?”
15 Then David called one of his [L young] men and told him, “·Go! Kill the Amalekite [L Come, strike him down]!” So the Israelite ·killed him [L struck him down and he died]. 16 David had said to the Amalekite, “·You are responsible for your own death [L Your blood is/be on your own head]. ·You confessed [L Your own mouth has testified against you] by saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s ·appointed king [anointed].’”
David’s Song About Saul and Jonathan
17 David ·sang [chanted; intoned; or composed] a ·funeral song [lament] ·about [over] Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this song. It is called “The Bow,” and it is written in the Book of Jashar [C an ancient record of heroic deeds, now lost; Josh. 10:13]:
19 “Israel, your ·leaders [glorious/beautiful/proud ones; or gazelle; C a metaphor for a leader] have been killed on ·the hills [your heights].
How the mighty have ·fallen in battle [L fallen]!
20 Don’t ·tell [announce; speak of] it in Gath.
Don’t ·announce [proclaim; broadcast] it in the streets of Ashkelon.
If you do, the Philistine ·women [L daughters] will ·be happy [rejoice].
The daughters of the ·Philistines [pagans; L uncircumcised] will ·rejoice [gloat; exult].
21 “May there be no dew or rain on the mountains of Gilboa,
and may their fields produce no [L offerings of] grain,
because there the mighty warrior’s shield was ·dishonored [defiled; despised].
Saul’s shield will no longer be ·rubbed [anointed] with oil.
22 Jonathan’s bow did not ·fail [turn back]
·to kill many soldiers [L from shedding the blood of the slain].
Saul’s sword did not ·fail [return empty]
·to wound many strong men [L from the fat/bodies of the mighty].
23 “We loved Saul and Jonathan
and ·enjoyed [admired] them ·while they lived [in life].
They ·are together [were not parted] even in death.
They were ·faster [swifter] than eagles.
They were stronger than lions.
24 “You daughters of Israel, ·cry for [weep over] Saul.
Saul clothed you with ·red dresses [luxurious scarlet/crimson]
and put gold ·decorations [ornaments/jewelry] on them.
25 “How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Jonathan ·is dead [lies slain] on Gilboa’s ·hills [heights].
26 I ·cry [grieve; am desolate/distressed] for you, my brother Jonathan.
·I enjoyed your friendship so much [You were greatly loved by me].
Your love to me was wonderful,
·better than [surpassing; deeper than] the love of women.
27 “How the mighty have fallen!
·The weapons of war are gone [Stripped of their weapons of war].”