Jonathan responded to his father Saul, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

Then Saul said, “Listen, son of Ahitub.” He replied, “Here I am, my lord.”

Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.

David realized that Saul had come out to seek his life; at that time David was in Horesh in the desert of Ziph.

Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God.

But a messenger came to Saul saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!”

(Now Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim.)

David sent scouts and verified that Saul had indeed arrived.

When Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he did not mount a new search for him.

The Philistines assembled; they came and camped at Shunem. Saul mustered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.

When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was absolutely terrified.

So Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him – not by dreams nor by Urim nor by the prophets.

But Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter!”

She brought it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and left that same night.

Saul himself was in the thick of the battle; the archers spotted him and wounded him severely.

So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men died together that day.

When the residents of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Then David chanted this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.

Saul and Jonathan were greatly loved during their lives, and not even in their deaths were they separated. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

Then Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.