News of the Battle of Mount Gilboa
1Saul was dead, but David didn’t know it. David had just come back from defeating Amalekite raiders who had burned Ziklag, a town the Philistine king of Gath had given him.2On David’s third day back in Ziklag, a man from King Saul’s battlefield camp arrived. He was dressed for grief, wearing clothes he had torn and dirt he had scooped onto his head. [1] 3David asked the man, “Where have you come from?” The young man said, “I came from Saul’s camp in Israel. I barely escaped.”
4David said, “What happened? Tell me.” The man said, “Israel’s army ran away during the battle. Many men died fighting, though, including Saul and his son Jonathan.” 5David said, “How do you know that?”
The death of King Saul
6The young man said, “I saw it. I happened to have been on Mount Gilboa at the time. I could see Saul leaning on his spear for support. Philistine chariots and cavalry were nearly on him.7He saw me behind him and called out to me. I said, ‘Yes sir, I’m here.’” 8He asked, ‘Who are you?’ I said, ‘I’m an Amalekite.’ [2] 9He said, ‘Come here. I need you to finish me off. I’m dying too slowly, in terrible pain.’
10So, I did what he asked. I stood there and finished him. [3] I could see he had been wounded and was dying in a lot of pain. After he died, I took the crown from his head and the band off his arm. I brought them to you, sir.”
David mourns for the dead warriors
11David grabbed the clothes he was wearing and ripped them, in grief. All the men standing with David did the same.12They cried and fasted all day and into the evening. They mourned for Saul and Jonathan and for all the LORD’s army that fought and died for Israel.
David rewards an Amalekite
13David asked the young man, “Where do you call home?” He said, “I live here, though I came from another nation. I’m an Amalekite.”14David said, “Weren’t you afraid to kill the man the LORD anointed as our king?”
15David called over one of his young men and said, “Kill this guy.” [4] The Amalekite died. 16David had told him, “You sentenced yourself to death. You did it when you confessed to killing the LORD’s anointed king.” [5]
David’s “Song of the Bow”
17David expressed his grief by writing a song about Saul and Jonathan. 18David called it “The Song of the Bow.” And he ordered everyone in his tribe of Judah to learn it. The song is preserved in the Book of Jashar. [6] These are the lyrics.The mighty have fallen
19Israel’s glory lies dead on the hills,For our mighty warriors have fallen.
20Don’t talk about it in Gath. [7]
Don’t chat about it in the streets of Ashkelon.
Philistine women will cheer the news.
These pagans will celebrate our grief.
21May the morning dew not descend on Gilboa.
May the rain not fall on those hills,
Or crops grow in those valleys.
This is the graveyard of fallen shields,
Where Saul’s shining [8] shield lies in the dirt.
22When Jonathan shot his arrows,
Enemies bled and died.
When Saul raised his sword,
Enemies fell to pieces.
David’s love for Saul and Jonathan
23Saul and JonathanLoved and treasured.
Together in life.
Together in death.
They soared higher than eagles.
They pounced stronger than lions.
24Women of Israel, weep for Saul,
Your provider and protector.
The clothes on your back and all that you own
Are a tribute to what he has done for us all.
Man down
25Our mighty warriors have fallen in battle.Jonathan lies dead on a hill.
26I’m overcome with grief for my brother, Jonathan.
You were precious to me.
You showed me love above and beyond
The love a man has for a woman. [9]
27Our mighty warriors have fallen in battle.
Their weapons are taken away.
