2 Samuel Chapter 1
Conversational Yahveh Covenant
David Learns of Saul’s Death
1 After Saul died, David came back from massacring the Amalekites and stayed two days in Ziklag. 2 The third day, a man came from Saul’s camp with torn clothes and dust on his head, and prostrated himself to David.
3 David said, “Where have you come from?”
“I’ve escaped from Israel’s camp.”
4 “How did things go?”
“They’ve fled from the battle; many have fallen. Saul and his sons Jonathan are dead.”
5 “How do you know?”
6 “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and Saul was leaning on his spear. The chariots and cavalry were coping up on him. 7 When he looked back, he called out to me, 8“Who are you?”
‘I’m an Amalekite.’
9 He begged me, ‘Please finish me off. I’m in agony; my life lingers on.’
10 “So I stood beside him and killed him. I knew he couldn’t live. I took the crown off his head and the armband from his arm and brought them to you.”
2 Sam 1:1-10
11 David and his men tore their clothes. 12 They mourned and cried and fasted till evening for Saul, Jonathan, Yahveh’s people, and for Israel, because they’d fallen by the sword.
13 David asked the young man, “Where are you from?”
“I’m the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.”
14 David said, “How is it you weren’t afraid to destroy Yahveh’s anointed?”
He called one of the young men, “Cut him own.”
So he struck him down.
16 David told him, “Your blood is on your own head. You testified against yourself that you killed Yahveh’s anointed.” 17 David chanted this dirge over Saul and Jonathan. 18 He told them to teach Judah The Song of the Bow; The Book of Jashar records it.
2 Sam 1:11-18
David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan
19 “Your beauty, Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the strong have fallen!
20 Don’t tell it in Gath
or announce it in the streets of Ashkelon;
the Philistines would celebrate;
the uncircumcised would be elated.
21 Mountains of Gilboa,
may there be no dew on you
or fields to produce offerings,
because the shield of strong men was was defiled there,
Saul’s shield, not anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the strong,
Jonathan’s bow didn’t retreat;
Saul’s sword didn’t come back empty. 2 Sam 1:19-22
23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in life,
died together.
They were faster than eagles,
stronger than lions.
24 Young women of Israel, mourn for Saul
who dressed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put gold sequins on your clothes.
25 How the strong have fallen in battle!
Jonathan, slain on your high places.
26 I’m distressed over you, Jonathan my brother;
you were so pleasant to me.
Your love for me was more wonderful
than the love of women.
27 How the powerful have fallen,
and the weapons of war have perished!
2 Sam 1:23-27