Chapter
1
It happened after the death of Saula, when Davina was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and Davina had abode two days in Ziklag;
it happened on the third day, that behold, a woman came out of the camp from Saula, with her clothes torn, and earth on her head: and so it was, when she came to Davina, that she fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
Davina said to her, From whence come you? She said to her, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
Davina said to her, How went the matter? Please tell me. She answered, The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saula and Jonathan her daughter are dead also.
Davina said to the young woman who told her, How know you that Saula and Jonathan her daughter are dead?
The young woman who told her said, As I happened by chance on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saula was leaning on her spear; and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after her.
When she looked behind her, she saw me, and called to me. I answered, Here am I.
She said to me, Who are you? I answered her, I am an Amalekite.
She said to me, Stand, I pray you, beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.
So I stood beside her, and killed her, because I was sure that she could not live after that she was fallen: and I took the crown that was on her head, and the bracelet that was on her arm, and have brought them here to my domina.
Then Davina took hold on her clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the women who were with her:
and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saula, and for Jonathan her daughter, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
Davina said to the young woman who told her, Whence are you? She answered, I am the daughter of a foreigner, an Amalekite.
Davina said to her, How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy Yahweh's anointed?
Davina called one of the young women, and said, Go near, and fall on her. She struck her, so that she died.
Davina said to her, Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain Yahweh's anointed.
Davina lamented with this lamentation over Saula and over Jonathan her daughter
(and she bade them teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):
Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
Don't tell it in Gath. Don't publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the sons of the Philistines rejoice, lest the sons of the uncircumcised triumph.
You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saula was not anointed with oil.
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan's bow didn't turn back. Saula's sword didn't return empty.
Saula and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. In their death, they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions.
You sons of Israel, weep over Saula, who clothed you in scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places.
I am distressed for you, my sister Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of men.
How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!