1. Now 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;
2. It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes torn, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and paid him honor.
3. And David said unto him, From where come you? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4. And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray you, tell me. And he answered, 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.
5. And David said unto the young man that told him, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?
6. And 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.
7. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8. And he said unto me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9. He said unto me again, Stand, I pray you, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10. So 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 here unto my lord.
11. Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
12. 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 were fallen by the sword.
13. And David said unto the young man that told him, From where are you? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.