¹

The Death of Saul and Jonathan

And it came to pass after the dying of Saul, that David returned from striking Amalek. And David stayed in Ziklag [²days ¹two].

²And it came to pass in the [²day ¹third], that behold, a man came from out of the camp of the people of Saul, and his clothes were torn up, and earth was upon his head. And it happened in his entering to David, that he fell upon the ground and did obeisance to him.

³And [²said ³to him ¹David], From what place do you come? And he said to him, From out of the camp of Israel I have come through safe.

⁴And [²said ³to him ¹David], What word is this? Report to me! And he said, [³have fled ¹The ²people] from the battle, and [²have fallen ¹many] of the people, and they died; and Saul and Jonathan his son died.

⁵And David said to the servant-lad, In the reporting it, how do you know that [⁵have died ¹Saul ²and ³Jonathan ⁴his son]?

⁶And [³said ¹the ²servant-lad] reporting to him, By chance I fell among the mountain of Giboa; and behold, Saul was stayed upon his spear; and behold, the chariots and the commanders of the cavalry joined together against him.

⁷And he looked behind him, and he beheld me, and he called me. And I said, Behold, it is I.

⁸And he said to me, Who are you? And I said, [³an Amalekite ¹I ²am].

⁹And he said to me, Stand indeed above me, and put me to death! for [³constrained ⁴me ²darkness ¹an awful], for [²is yet ¹my life] in me.

¹⁰And I stood over him, and put him to death, for I knew that he would not live after he fell. And I took the crown, the one upon his head, and the armlet, the one upon his arm, and I brought them to my master here.

¹¹

Israel Mourns for Saul and Jonathan

And David took hold of his clothes, and tore them; and all the men, the ones with him.

¹²And they beat their chests and wept, and fasted until evening over Saul, and over Jonathan his son, and over the people of Judah, and over the house of Israel, because they were struck by the broadsword.

¹³And David said to the servant-lad, the one reporting to him, From what place are you? And he said, [³the son ⁶man ⁵sojourner ⁴of an Amalekite ¹I ²am].

¹⁴And [²said ³to him ¹David], How is it you do not fear to bear your hand to utterly destroy the anointed one of the LORD?

¹⁵And David called one of his servant-lads, and he said, Coming forward, you meet him! And he struck him, and he died.

¹⁶And [²said ³to ⁴him ¹David], Your blood be upon your head, for your mouth answered against you, saying, I put to death the anointed one of the LORD.

¹⁷And David lamented this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son.

¹⁸And he spoke to teach the sons of Judah. Behold, it is written upon the scroll of the upright.

¹⁹And he said, Set up a stone monument, O Israel, for the ones having died upon your heights -- being slain! How [²are fallen ¹the mighty ones].

²⁰Announce it not in Gath, and announce it not as good news in the streets of Ashkelon! lest at any time [³should be glad ¹the daughters ²of the Philistines], lest at any time [⁴should exult ¹the daughters ²of the ³uncircumcised].

²¹O mountains in Gilboa, may there not fall upon you neither dew nor rain; and O fields of first-fruits, for there [³was loathed ¹the shield ²of the mighty ones], the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.

²²From the blood of the slain, and from the fat of the mighty ones, the bow of Jonathan did not return empty to the rear; and the broadsword of Saul did not return empty.

²³Saul and Jonathan, the ones being loved, and beautiful ones; not parted in their life, and in their death they were not parted. [²above ³eagles ¹Nimble], and [²above ³lions ¹strong].

²⁴Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul! the one dressing you with scarlet apparel, with your ornament; the one bearing [²ornament ¹a golden] for your clothes.

²⁵How [²fell ¹the mighty ones] in the midst of battle, O Jonathan, upon your heights you were slain.

²⁶I ache over you, Jonathan, O my brother. You were beautiful to me, exceedingly; [³caused wonder ¹your affection ²to me] -- above the affection of women.

²⁷O how [²fell ¹the mighty ones], and [³perished ¹the weapons ²of warfare].