New Living Translation

2 Samuel 1:11-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

11. David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news.

12. They 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.

13. Then David said to the young man who had brought the news, “Where are you from?”And he replied, “I am a foreigner, an Amalekite, who lives in your land.”

14. “Why were you not afraid to kill the lord’s anointed one?” David asked.

15. Then David said to one of his men, “Kill him!” So the man thrust his sword into the Amalekite and killed him.

16. “You have condemned yourself,” David said, “for you yourself confessed that you killed the lord’s anointed one.”

17. Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan,

18. and 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.

19. Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills!Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen!

20. Don’t announce the news in Gath,don’t proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon,or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoiceand the pagans will laugh in triumph.

21. O 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.

22. The bow of Jonathan was powerful,and the sword of Saul did its mighty work.They shed the blood of their enemiesand pierced the bodies of mighty heroes.

23. How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan!They were together in life and in death.They were swifter than eagles,stronger than lions.

24. O women of Israel, weep for Saul,for he dressed you in luxurious scarlet clothing,in garments decorated with gold.

25. Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen in battle!Jonathan lies dead on the hills.

26. How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan!Oh, how much I loved you!And your love for me was deep,deeper than the love of women!

27. Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen!Stripped of their weapons, they lie dead.