13. Then David spoke to the young soldier who had brought the report: “Who are you, anyway?”“I’m from an immigrant family—an Amalekite.”
14-15. “Do you mean to say,” said David, “that you weren’t afraid to up and kill God’s anointed king?” Right then he ordered one of his soldiers, “Strike him dead!” The soldier struck him, and he died.
16. “You asked for it,” David told him. “You sealed your death sentence when you said you killed God’s anointed king.”
17-18. Then David sang this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan, and gave orders that everyone in Judah learn it by heart. Yes, it’s even inscribed in The Book of Jashar.
19-21. Oh, oh, Gazelles of Israel, struck down on your hills,the mighty warriors—fallen, fallen!Don’t announce it in the city of Gath,don’t post the news in the streets of Ashkelon.Don’t give those coarse Philistine girlsone more excuse for a drunken party!No more dew or rain for you, hills of Gilboa,and not a drop from springs and wells,For there the warriors’ shields were dragged through the mud,Saul’s shield left there to rot.
22. Jonathan’s bow was bold—the bigger they were the harder they fell.Saul’s sword was fearless—once out of the scabbard, nothing could stop it.
23. Saul and Jonathan—beloved, beautiful!Together in life, together in death.Swifter than plummeting eagles,stronger than proud lions.
24-25. Women of Israel, weep for Saul.He dressed you in finest cottons and silks,spared no expense in making you elegant.The mighty warriors—fallen, fallenin the middle of the fight!Jonathan—struck down on your hills!
26. O my dear brother Jonathan,I’m crushed by your death.Your friendship was a miracle-wonder,love far exceeding anything I’ve known—or ever hope to know.
27. The mighty warriors—fallen, fallen.And the arms of war broken to bits.