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David Hears of Saul’s Death
After the death of Saul, David returned from striking down the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.
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“Where have you come from?” David asked him. He answered, “I have escaped from the Israelite camp.”
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“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” the young man said, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and their drivers in hot pursuit.
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When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, ‘What can I do?’
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“He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ “‘An Amalekite,’ I answered.
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“Then he said to me, ‘Stand here by me and kill me! I’m in the throes of death, but I’m still alive.’
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“So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.”
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They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
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David said to the young man who brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite,” he answered.
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For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’”
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and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):
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“A gazelle lies slain on your heights, Israel. How the mighty have fallen!
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“Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.
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Saul and Jonathan— in life they were loved and admired, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
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“Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.
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“How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
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I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
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David Anointed King Over Judah
In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
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David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns.
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Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah. When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul,
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May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.
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Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.”
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War Between the Houses of David and Saul
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
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He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.
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Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David.
