After Saul died and David had returned from striking those of the House of Amalek, David remained two days in Ziklag.

On the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and earth thrown upon his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and bowed down.

David said to him, “Where are you coming from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”

And David said to him, “What was the situation? Tell me now.” And he said, “The people have retreated from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and have been killed; and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”

Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”

And the young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa; and there was Saul leaning upon his spear. And behold, the chariots and an army of horsemen overtook him.

And when he turned behind him, he saw me and called me. And I said, ‘Here I am.’

And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ And I said to him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’

And he said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for trembling has seized me. And even now my soul is within me.’

So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the phylactery which was on his arms, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them. And so did all the men who were with him.

And 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 been killed by the sword.

And David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he said, “I am the son of a proselyte, an Amalekite man.”

David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to stretch out your hand to harm the LORD’s anointed?”

Then David called one of the young men and said, “Draw near, overpower him.” And he struck him down and killed him.

And David said to him, “The guilt of killing you be upon your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, “I have killed the LORD’s anointed.”

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son.

And he promised to teach the sons of Judah the bending of the bow, behold, it is written in the book of the Torah.

“You took your stand, O Israel. Upon your stronghold you were thrown, killed. How are the heroes killed!

Tell it not in Gath, announce it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, let there be no sufficient yield on you, that they make from it a dough offering. For there the heroes’ shields were broken, the shield of Saul, anointed as if with anointing oil.

From the blood of the killed, from the fat of the heroes the arrows of Jonathan’s bow are not turning back and Saul’s sword is not returning empty.

Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely in their life, and in their death not distinguished from their people; swifter than eagles and more heroic than lions.

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet clothes and brought you delicacies and put golden ornaments on your clothes.

How are the heroes shattered in the midst of the battle! Jonathan, you are killed on your stronghold!

I am troubled for you, my brother Jonathan, you were very lovely for me! Your love was more distinguished for me than the love of my two wives.

How are the heroes shattered, and the utensils of war perished!”