News of Saul's Death Reaches David
Study note
David had been living in the Philistine town of Ziklag after escaping from Saul. A young Amalekite man came from the battlefield at Mount Gilboa with torn clothes and dirt on his head, which were signs of mourning. He claimed that he had killed Saul at the king's own request, after Saul was badly wounded. He brought Saul's crown and armband to David, likely hoping for a reward. Whether this story was true or made up to gain David's favor, it would prove to be a fatal mistake.
1 After Saul's death, David came back from his victory over the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. 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;
2 On the third day, a man arrived from Saul's camp with torn clothing and dirt on his head to show his grief. He came to David and dropped to the ground before him out of respect. 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.
3 "Where did you come from?" David asked. "I got away from the Israelite army," the man replied. And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4 "Tell me what happened," David pressed. The man said, "Our army ran from the fight. Many soldiers were killed. Saul and his son Jonathan are both dead." 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.
5 David asked the young man, "How can you be sure that Saul and Jonathan are dead?" And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6 The young man explained, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa and saw Saul propping himself up with his spear. Enemy chariots and riders were closing in fast." 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.
7 "He turned and noticed me, then called out. I answered, 'I am right here.'" And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8 "He asked me who I was, and I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'" And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9 "Then he begged me, 'Come here and finish me off. I am in great agony but still hanging on to life.'" 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.
10 "So I went to him and ended his life, since I could tell there was he would never survive. I removed the crown from his head and the band from his arm, and I brought them here to you, my lord." 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.
David Mourns for Saul and Jonathan
Study note
David and his men tore their clothes as a sign of deep grief. They mourned and cried and went without food until evening for Saul, Jonathan, and all the Israelite soldiers who had died. Then David had the Amalekite messenger put to death for claiming to have killed the Lord's anointed king. David had twice refused to harm Saul himself, even when he had the chance, because he believed it was wrong to raise a hand against God's chosen king.
11 David grabbed his own clothes and ripped them in grief. Every man with him did the same. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
12 They mourned, wept, and refused to eat until evening. They grieved for Saul, for his son Jonathan, for the Lord's army, and for the people of Israel, because so many had fallen in battle. 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.
13 David turned to the young messenger and asked, "Where do you come from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner who settled here. I am an Amalekite." 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.
14 David demanded, "How could you not be afraid to lay a hand on the one the Lord chose as king?" And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
15 David called over one of his soldiers and ordered, "Go and execute him." The soldier struck the Amalekite down, and he died. And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
16 David declared over the body, "You brought this on yourself. Your own testimony condemned you when you admitted, 'I killed the Lord's chosen king.'" 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's Song of the Bow
Study note
David wrote this funeral song, sometimes called 'The Song of the Bow,' in honor of Saul and Jonathan. He ordered that it be taught to the people of Judah. The song praises the bravery and skills of both Saul and Jonathan in battle, and expresses David's special bond with Jonathan. The line about Jonathan's love being 'more wonderful than the love of women' speaks to the deep covenant friendship the two men shared. This poem is one of the most moving passages of grief in the entire Bible.
17 David composed this funeral song for Saul and Jonathan. And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18 He gave orders for all the people of Judah to learn it. It is called "The Song of the Bow" and is recorded in the Book of Jashar. (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19 "Israel, your finest warriors lie dead on the hills! The mighty have been brought down!" The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20 "Do not spread this news in Gath or shout it in the streets of Ashkelon. If you do, the Philistine women will throw a party. The daughters of those godless people will dance with joy." 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.
21 "Mountains of Gilboa, may you never feel dew or rain again. May no crops grow on your slopes for offerings. It was there that the shield of the mighty warrior was tossed aside. Saul's shield will never again be rubbed with oil." 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.
22 "Jonathan's bow always found its mark among the enemy. Saul's sword never came home without doing its work against the strong." 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.
23 "Saul and Jonathan were loved and admired while they lived. Not even death could pull them apart. They were swifter than eagles and mightier than lions." 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.
24 "Women of Israel, shed tears for Saul. He gave you beautiful red clothes and fine clothing. He decorated your outfits with gold." Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 "The mighty warriors have been cut down right in the heat of the fight! Jonathan lies dead upon the hills." How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26 "My heart breaks for you, Jonathan, my brother. You meant the world to me. The bond we shared was deeper than any other love." 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.
27 "The mighty warriors have been cut down! Their weapons of war are ruined and gone." How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!