52 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
52 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 1
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1 After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed at Ziklag two days.
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2 On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head came from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.
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3 David asked him, “Where have you come from?”
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He replied to him, “I’ve escaped from the Israelite camp.”
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4 “What was the outcome? Tell me,” David asked him.
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“The troops fled from the battle,” he answered. “Many of the troops have fallen and are dead. Also, Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”
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5 David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
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6 “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear. At that very moment the chariots and the cavalry were closing in on him.
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7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, so I answered: I’m at your service.
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8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him: I’m an Amalekite.
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9 Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded, but my life still lingers.’
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10 So I stood over him and killed him because I knew that after he had fallen he couldn’t survive. I took the crown that was on his head and the armband that was on his arm, and I’ve brought them here to my lord.”
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11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same.
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12 They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword—for Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel.
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13 David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?”
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“I’m the son of a resident alien,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”
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14 David questioned him, “How is it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”
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15 Then David summoned one of his servants and said, “Come here and kill him!” The servant struck him, and he died.
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16 For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood is on your own head because your own mouth testified against you by saying, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’”
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17 David sang the following lament for Saul and his son Jonathan,
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18 and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:
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19 The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights.
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How the mighty have fallen!
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20 Do not tell it in Gath,
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don’t announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon,
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or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
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and the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.
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21 Mountains of Gilboa,
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let no dew or rain be on you,
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or fields of offerings,
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for there the shield of the mighty was defiled—
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the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.
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22 Jonathan’s bow never retreated,
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Saul’s sword never returned unstained,
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from the blood of the slain,
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from the flesh of the mighty.
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23 Saul and Jonathan,
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loved and delightful,
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they were not parted in life or in death.
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They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
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24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,
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who clothed you in scarlet, with luxurious things,
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who decked your garments with gold ornaments.
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25 How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle!
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Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
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26 I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother.
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You were such a friend to me.
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Your love for me was more wondrous
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than the love of women.
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27 How the mighty have fallen
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and the weapons of war have perished! |