David learns of Saul’s death
1 It was thus that Saul died. As for David, he returned after defeating the Amalekites. He was already two days in Ziklag 2 when, on the third day, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dust strewn on his head. He went to David and fell to the ground in homage. 3 David asked him, “Where are you from?” And he an swered, “I have escaped from the Israelite camp.” 4 David then said, “Tell me what happened.” And the man told him, “The soldiers fled from the battle but many of them fell and died. Saul and his son Jonathan – they too are dead.”
5 Then David asked the young man who reported this, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6 The young man replied, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa and I saw Saul leaning on his spear while chariots and horsemen were closing in on him. 7 He turned around and, seeing me, called me. 8 I said, ‘Here I am.’ He asked, ‘Who are you?’ and I replied, ‘I am an Ama lekite.’ 9 He then said to me, ‘Come here and kill me for I feel dizzy though I am fully alive.’ 10 So I went over and killed him, for I knew that he would fall and not rise again. Then I removed the crown from his head and the armlet from his arm, both of which I have here to give you, my lord.”
11 At this, David took hold of his clothes and tore them and his men did the same. 12 And they mourned, weeping and fasting until evening, for the death of Saul and his son Jonathan, for all the people of Judah and for the nation of Israel.
13 David asked the young man who told him this, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of an Amalekite immigrant.” 14 David said, “Why were you not afraid to lay your hands on Yah weh’s anointed and kill him?” 15 He then called one of his men and ordered him, “Come and strike him down.” He struck down the Ama lekite and killed him.
16 David declared, “You will an swer for your own blood for you condemned yourself when you said, ‘I have killed Yahweh’s anointed’.”
17 David sang this song of lamentation for Saul and his son Jonathan, and had it taught to the people of Judah. It is called “The Bow” 18 and is found in the Book of the Just.
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- 1 Samuel 31,4
- 1 Maccabees 9,21
- 1 Samuel 9,26
- Joshua 10,13
- Micah 1,10
- 1 Samuel 31,9
- Judges 16,23
- Genesis 27,28
- 1 Samuel 18,4
- 1 Samuel 14,47
- Judges 5,30
The first reaction of David, upon hearing of Saul's death, shows his noble qualities. From then on, he champions national unity and strives to reunite around him both allies and enemies of Saul.
Mountains of Gilboa. David is already known for his poetic talents (see 1 S 16:18). This poem attributed to him is one of the more ancient songs in the Bible.
