KJ3 Literal Translation
2 Samuel 1
The Amalekite, who brought tidings of the overthrow, and accused himself of Saul's death, is executed. David laments Saul and Jonathan.
1And it happened, after the dying of Saul, David returned from striking the Amalekites; and David remained in Ziklag two days.
2And it happened in the third day, behold, a man came in out of the camp from Saul. And his garments were torn, and earth on his head. And it happened as he came to David, he fell to the earth and bowed himself.
3And David said to him, From where do you come? And he said to him, I have escaped out of the camp of Israel.
4And David said to him, How was the matter? Please tell me. And he answered, The people fled from the battle and also a multitude of the people have fallen, and they died, and also Saul and his son Jonathan have died.
5And David said to the youth who was telling him, How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan have died?
6And the youth who was telling him said, Drawing near I happened to be on Mount Gilboa. And behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And, behold, the chariots and the masters of horses closely pursued him!
7And he turned behind him and he saw me and called to me. And I said, Behold me.
8And he said to me, Who are you? And I said, I am an Amalekite.
9And he said to me, Please stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me; for all my life is still in me.
10And I stood over him and caused him to die, for I knew that he could not live after his falling. And I took the crown on his head, and the bracelet on his arm, and I brought them to my lord here.
11And David took hold on his garments and tore them; and also all the men with him did so.
12And they mourned and wept and fasted until the evening, for Saul, and for his son Jonathan, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13And David said to the youth who told him, From where are you? And he said, I am the son of a foreign man, an Amalekite.
14And David said to him, Why were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the anointed of Jehovah?
15And David called to one of the young men, and said, Draw near and fall on him. And he struck him, and he died.
16And David said to him, Your blood be on your own head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I caused to die the anointed of Jehovah.
17And David chanted this dirge over Saul, and over his son Jonathan;
18and he said to teach the sons of Judah The Song of the Bow. Behold, it is written in the Book of Jasher:
19The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places. How are the mighty fallen!
20Tell it not in Gath; do not make it known in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
21Mountains of Gilboa, let not dew and not do let rain be on you, and not fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not being anointed with oil.
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back; and the sword of Saul did not return empty.
23Saul and Jonathan! They were beloved and delightful in their lives; and in their death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.
24Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet delights, who brought ornaments of gold on your clothing.
25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places!
26Distress is to me over you, my brother Jonathan. You were very delightful to me; your love was wonderful to me, more than the love of women.
27How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
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