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; (1:1)

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. (1:2)

And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. (1:3)

And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That 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. (1:4)

And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? (1:5)

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. (1:6)

And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here [am] I. (1:7)

And he said unto me, Who [art] thou? And I answered him, I [am] an Amalekite. (1:8)

He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life [is] yet whole in me. (1:9)

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 hither unto my lord. (1:10)

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him: (1:11)

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, 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. (1:12)

And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence [art] thou? And he answered, I [am] the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. (1:13)

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed? (1:14)

And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, [and] fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. (1:15)

And David said unto him, Thy blood [be] upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed. (1:16)