David Learns of Saul's Death

(1 Samuel 31:1-6; 1 Chronicles 10:1-6)

1Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days in Siceleg. 2And on the third day, there appeared a man who came out of Saul's camp, with his garments rent, and dust strewed on his head: and when he came to David, he fell upon his face, and adored. 3And David said to him: From whence comest thou? And he said to him: I am fled out of the camp of Israel. 4And David said unto him: What is the matter that is come to pass? tell me: He said: The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people are fallen and dead: moreover Saul and Jonathan his son are slain. 5And David said to the young man that told him: How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son, are dead? 6And the young man that told him, said: I came by chance upon mount Gelboe, and Saul leaned upon his spear: and the chariots and horsemen drew nigh unto him, 7And looking behind him, and seeing me, he called me. And I answered, Here am I. 8And he said to me: Who art thou? And I said to him: I am an Amalecite. 9And he said to me: Stand over me, and kill me: for anguish is come upon me, and as yet my whole life is in me. 10So standing over him, I killed him: for I knew that he could not live after the fall: and I took the diadem that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither to thee, my lord.

11Then David took hold of his garments and rent them, and likewise all the men that were with him. 12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel, because they were fallen by the sword. 13And David said to the young man that told him: Whence art thou? He answered: I am the son of a stranger of Amalec. 14David said to him: Why didst thou not fear to put out thy hand to kill the Lord's anointed? 15And David calling one of his servants, said: Go near and fall upon him. And he struck him so that he died. 16And David said to him: Thy blood be upon thy own head: for thy own mouth hath spoken against thee, saying: I have slain the Lord's anointed.

David's Song for Saul and Jonathan

17And David made this kind of lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son. 18(Also he commanded that they should teach the children of Juda the use of the bow, as it is written in the book of the just.) And he said: Consider, O Israel, for them that are dead, wounded on thy high places.

19The illustrious of Israel are slain upon thy mountains: how are the valiant fallen?

20Tell it not in Geth, publish it not in the streets of Ascalon: lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21Ye mountains of Gelboe, let neither dew, nor rain come upon you, neither be they fields of firstfruits: for there was cast away the shield of the valiant, the shield of Saul as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the valiant, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

23Saul and Jonathan, lovely, and comely in their life, even in death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet in delights, who gave ornaments of gold for your attire.

25How are the valiant fallen in battle? Jonathan slain in the high places?

26I grieve for thee, my brother Jonathan: exceeding beautiful, and amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only son, so did I love thee.

27How are the valiant fallen, and the weapons of war perished?