9. “Then Saul said to me, ‘Please come here and kill me. I am badly hurt and am almost dead already.’
10. “So I went over and killed him. He had been hurt so badly I knew he couldn’t live. Then I took the crown from his head and the bracelet from his arm, and I have brought them here to you, my master.”
11. Then David tore his clothes to show his sorrow, and all the men with him did also.
12. They were very sad and cried and fasted until evening. They cried for Saul and his son Jonathan and for all the people of the Lord and for all the Israelites who had died in the battle.
13. David asked the young man who brought the report, “Where are you from?”The young man answered, “I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.”
14. David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to kill the Lord’s appointed king?”
15. Then David called one of his men and told him, “Go! Kill the Amalekite!” So the Israelite killed him.
16. David had said to the Amalekite, “You are responsible for your own death. You confessed by saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s appointed king.’ ”
17. David sang a funeral song about Saul and his son Jonathan,
18. and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this song. It is called “The Bow,” and it is written in the Book of Jashar:
19. “Israel, your leaders have been killed on the hills.How the mighty have fallen in battle!
20. Don’t tell it in Gath.Don’t announce it in the streets of Ashkelon.If you do, the Philistine women will be happy.The daughters of the Philistines will rejoice.
21. “May there be no dew or rain on the mountains of Gilboa,and may their fields produce no grain,because there the mighty warrior’s shield was dishonored.Saul’s shield will no longer be rubbed with oil.
22. Jonathan’s bow did not failto kill many soldiers.Saul’s sword did not failto wound many strong men.
23. “We loved Saul and Jonathanand enjoyed them while they lived.They are together even in death.They were faster than eagles.They were stronger than lions.
24. “You daughters of Israel, cry for Saul.Saul clothed you with red dressesand put gold decorations on them.