2 Samuel chapter 1
English Standard Version
1After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. 2And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul 's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. 3David said to him, "Where do you come from?" And he said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel." 4And David said to him, "How did it go? Tell me." And he answered, "The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead." 5Then David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?" 6And the young man who told him said, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him. 7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9And he said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’ 10So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord."
11Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 12And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13And David said to the young man who told him, "Where do you come from?" And he answered, "I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite." 14David said to him, "How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord 's anointed?" 15Then David called one of the young men and said, "Go, execute him." And he struck him down so that he died. 16And David said to him, "Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord 's anointed.’"
17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said:
19"Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 21 "You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22"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, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 24"You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25 "How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! "Jonathan lies slain on your high places. 26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. 27 "How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"
New International Version
1After the death of Saul, David returned from striking down the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. 2On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor.
3"Where have you come from?" David asked him. He answered, "I have escaped from the Israelite camp."
6"I happened to be on Mount Gilboa," the young man said, "and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and their drivers in hot pursuit. 7When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, ‘What can I do?’
11Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. 12They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
15Then David called one of his men and said, "Go, strike him down!" So he struck him down, and he died. 16For David had said to him, "Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’ "
17David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, 18and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):
21"Mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, may no showers fall on your terraced fields. For there the shield of the mighty was despised, the shield of Saul—no longer rubbed with oil. 22"From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.
New American Standard Bible
1Now it came about after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David stayed two days in Ziklag. 2And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. And it happened when he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself. 3Then David said to him, 'From where do you come?' And he said to him, 'I have escaped from the camp of Israel.' 4David said to him, 'How did things go? Please tell me.' And he said, 'The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.' 5Then David said to the young man who told him, 'How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?' 6The young man who told him said, 'By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen had overtaken him. 7When he looked behind himself, he saw me, and called to me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 8Then he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9And he said to me, ‘Please stand next to me and finish me off, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.’ 10So I stood next to him and finished him off, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the band which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.'
11Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. 12And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13Then David said to the young man who informed him, 'Where are you from?' And he answered, 'I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.' 14And David said to him, 'How is it you were not afraid to reach out with your hand to destroy the Lord’S anointed?' 15Then David called one of the young men and said, 'Come forward, put him to death.' So he struck him and he died. 16And David said to him, 'Your blood is on your head, because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have finished off the Lord’S anointed.’?'
17Then David sang this song of mourning over Saul and his son Jonathan, 18and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the mourning song of the bow; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.
19'Your beauty, Israel, is slaughtered on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate. 21Mountains of Gilboa, May there be no dew nor rain on you, or fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22From the blood of those slaughtered, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return unstained. 23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, And in their deaths they were not separated; They were swifter than eagles, They were mightier than lions. 24Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet, with jewelry, Who put gold jewelry on your apparel. 25How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slaughtered on your high places. 26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been a close friend to me. Your love for me was more wonderful Than the love of women. 27How the mighty have fallen, And the weapons of war have perished!'
Christian Standard Bible
1After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed at Ziklag two days. 2On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head came from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.
6"I happened to be on Mount Gilboa," he replied, "and there was Saul, leaning on his spear. At that very moment the chariots and the cavalry were closing in on him. 7When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, so I answered: I’m at your service. 8He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him: I’m an Amalekite. 9Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded, but my life still lingers.’ 10So I stood over him and killed him because I knew that after he had fallen he couldn’t survive. I took the crown that was on his head and the armband that was on his arm, and I’ve brought them here to my lord."
11Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. 12They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword—for Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel.
14David questioned him, "How is it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?" 15Then David summoned one of his servants and said, "Come here and kill him!" The servant struck him, and he died. 16For David had said to the Amalekite, "Your blood is on your own head because your own mouth testified against you by saying, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’"
17David sang the following lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, 18and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:
19The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! 20Do not tell it in Gath, don’t announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate. 21Mountains of Gilboa, let no dew or rain be on you, or fields of offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled — the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. 22Jonathan’s bow never retreated, Saul’s sword never returned unstained, from the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty. 23Saul and Jonathan, loved and delightful, they were not parted in life or in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. 24Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxurious things, who decked your garments with gold ornaments. 25How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. 26I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were such a friend to me. Your love for me was more wondrous than the love of women. 27How the mighty have fallen and the weapons of war have perished!
New Living Translation
1After the death of Saul, David returned from his victory over the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. 2On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s army camp. He had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head to show that he was in mourning. He fell to the ground before David in deep respect.
6The man answered, 'I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear with the enemy chariots and charioteers closing in on him. 7When he turned and saw me, he cried out for me to come to him. ‘How can I help?’ I asked him.
11David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. 12They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day.
15Then David said to one of his men, 'Kill him!' So the man thrust his sword into the Amalekite and killed him. 16You have condemned yourself,' David said, 'for you yourself confessed that you killed the Lord’s anointed one.'
17Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, 18and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar.
19Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills! Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen! 20Don’t announce the news in Gath, don’t proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice and the pagans will laugh in triumph.
21O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fruitful fields producing offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty heroes was defiled; the shield of Saul will no longer be anointed with oil. 22The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work. They shed the blood of their enemies and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes.
23How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. 24O women of Israel, weep for Saul, for he dressed you in luxurious scarlet clothing, in garments decorated with gold.
King James Version
1Now 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; 2It 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.
3And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4And 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. 5And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? 6And 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. 7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. 8And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9He 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. 10So 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.
11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 12And 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.
13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord'S anointed? 15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. 16And 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. 17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) 19The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
New King James Version
1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag, 2on the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
6Then the young man who told him said, “As I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa, there was Saul, leaning on his spear; and indeed the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7Now when he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ So I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9He said to me again, ‘Please stand over me and kill me, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.’ 10So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.”
11Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 12And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
14So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died. 16So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’ ”
17Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher:
19“The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon— Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21“O mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, Nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not 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. 23“Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions. 24“O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25“How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was slain in your high places. 26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women. 27“How the mighty have fallen, And the weapons of war perished!”
What does 2 Samuel chapter 1 mean?
When these words were written, the books we now call "First" and "Second" Samuel were a single, combined text. Later translators separated them. Chapter and verse divisions came even later. Though this passage is marked as a new "book," the text continues uninterrupted from the last verse of 1 Samuel.After years of evading King Saul, David, his men, and their families finally found respite in the land of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath (1 Samuel 27:1–4). Achish trusted David so much, he brought David and his army to the combined Philistine battle against the Israelites (1 Samuel 28:1–2). Fortunately, the other Philistine kings weren't so trusting. Achish sent David and his men home (1 Samuel 29). They arrive just in time to find their city burned and their families taken by Amalekites. While David's men rescued their wives and children (1 Samuel 30), the Philistines killed Saul's sons and wounded Saul, and Saul took his own life (1 Samuel 31).
Now, an Amalekite who came from the Israelites' camp gives a different story. He says the Philistines killed Saul's sons, but he killed the wounded king at Saul's request. As proof, he's brought Saul's crown and armlet (2 Samuel 1:1–10).
The Amalekite has grossly misjudged David's feelings toward Saul. David always respected Saul as God's anointed king. He loved Jonathan as a friend greater than a brother. Instead of celebrating the fact his enemy is dead, and he can now take the throne, David has the man executed for striking the king. The Amalekite's story contradicts the narrative of Saul's death in 1 Samuel 31:1–7. Critics often use this difference to claim the Bible contains contradictions and mistakes. The simple truth is that the Amalekite lied. Scripture accurately records his statement, and the consequences which came of it (2 Samuel 1:11–16).
The second half of the chapter features a lament or elegy written by David. He commands it to be published and taught to all the people of Judah. The lament calls for Israel to join David in expressing both genuine sorrow for the loss of Saul and Jonathan, as well as in celebrating their lives (2 Samuel 1:17–18).
In the poem, David repeats the phrase "How the mighty have fallen" three separate times (2 Samuel 1:19, 25, 27). He tells Israel not to mention Saul's death to the Philistines to give them reason to celebrate and curses the mountains of Gilboa as the place where they died and where their bodies and shield lay neglected. David celebrates their fierceness as warriors and the way they were loved and respected by the people of Israel and each other. He calls for the daughters of Israel to join him in weeping for Saul, in part because his kingship provided fine clothes and jewelry for them (2 Samuel 1:20–24).
Finally, David expresses his grief for Jonathan, a man whose love and commitment for him was more than that of women. Despite misuse by critics, these words do not imply that David and Jonathan's relationship was sexual. They were intensely loyal and affirming of each other (1 Samuel 18:1–4), but nothing indicates a romantic attraction (2 Samuel 1:25–26).
With God's approval, David will return home to Judah. There, the elders will make him their king. David will thank the men who risked their lives to rescue the bodies of Saul and his three sons from the Philistines. Meanwhile, Abner, Saul's military commander and cousin, will install Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king of the rest of Israel (2 Samuel 2:1–11). David will fight Abner for seven years before he can be king of all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1–5).
