2 Samuel 1

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

After Saul's death, David returned from defeating the Amalekites. He spent two days resting in Ziklag, weary yet triumphant.

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

On the third day, a man emerged from Saul's camp, his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he reached David, he collapsed to the ground, showing deep respect.

And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

David asked him, "Where did you come from?" The man replied, "I barely escaped from the Israelite camp."

And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

David asked him anxiously, "What happened? Please, tell me." The man replied with a heavy heart, "Our people have fled the battlefield. Many have fallen, lost their lives. Saul and his son Jonathan... they're gone too."

And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

David turned to the young man who brought him the news, his voice trembling with sorrow, "How can you be certain that Saul and Jonathan are no longer with us?"

And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

The young man who shared the news said, "I stumbled upon Mount Gilboa, and there I saw Saul, weary and leaning on his spear. Behind him, the thundering hooves and wheels of chariots and horsemen were closing in fast."

And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

When he glanced back, his eyes met mine and he called out to me. I responded, "I'm right here."

And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

He questioned me, his voice echoing, "Who are you?" With a steady gaze, I replied, "I am an Amalekite."

He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

He pleaded with me, "Please, end my suffering. Stand over me and end my life. The pain is unbearable and I'm still fully alive."

So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

With certainty in his impending death after his fall, I ended his suffering. I claimed his crown and bracelet, symbols of his power, and now present them to you, my lord.

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

Overwhelmed with grief, David clutched his clothes, tearing them apart. His men, sharing his sorrow, did the same.

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, 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.

They grieved deeply, shedding tears and fasting till dusk for Saul, Jonathan, and God's people, all of Israel, who tragically perished in battle.

And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

David asked the young man, "Where do you come from?" The young man replied, "I'm the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite."

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?

David asked him, "Weren't you scared to raise your hand against God's chosen one?"

And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

David beckoned one of the young men and ordered, "Go, strike him down!" So the young man struck him, ending his life.

And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.

David told him, "Your own words have condemned you. You admitted to killing God's chosen one. So, your blood is on your own hands."

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

David poured out his heart in deep sorrow for Saul and his son Jonathan.

(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

He instructed them to teach the children of Judah how to use a bow, as documented in the book of Jasher.

The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

Israel's splendor lies lifeless on your peaks: oh, how the powerful have tumbled!

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Don't spread the news in Gath, don't announce it in Askelon's streets. We don't want Philistine women celebrating, or their daughters gloating over our misfortune.

Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

Gilboa's peaks, may you stay dry, without dew or rain, or fields bearing gifts. For on your slopes, the once mighty have been disgracefully discarded, like Saul's shield, as if it was never blessed with sacred oil.

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Jonathan's bow never faltered, even amidst the bloodshed, and Saul's sword always found its mark, striking down the mighty.

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

Saul and Jonathan lived their lives with love and joy, and even in death, they remained united. They were as swift as eagles, as strong as lions.

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

Oh, women of Israel, shed tears for Saul. He adorned you in vibrant red and showered you with luxuries, gifting you golden trinkets to wear.

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

The mighty have tragically fallen on the battlefield! Oh Jonathan, you met your end on your own lofty grounds.

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

My heart aches for you, my brother Jonathan. You've been a true joy in my life. Your love for me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

How heartbreaking it is to see the powerful fall, and the tools of battle lost forever!