Part 181 (2/2)

1:19. The ill.u.s.trious of Israel are slain upon thy mountains: how are the valiant fallen?

1:20. Tell it not in Geth, publish it not in the streets of Ascalon: lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncirc.u.mcised triumph.

1:21. Ye mountains of Gelboe, let neither dew, nor rain come upon you, neither be they fields of firstfruits: for there was cast away the s.h.i.+eld of the valiant, the s.h.i.+eld of Saul as though he had not been anointed with oil.

1:22. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the valiant, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

1:23. Saul and Jonathan, lovely, and comely in their life, even in death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

1:24. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet in delights, who gave ornaments of gold for your attire.

1:25. How are the valiant fallen in battle? Jonathan slain in the high places?

1:26. I grieve for thee, my brother Jonathan: exceeding beautiful, and amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only son, so did I love thee.

1:27. How are the valiant fallen, and the weapons of war perished?

2 Kings Chapter 2

David is received and anointed king of Juda. Isboseth the son of Saul reigneth over the rest of Israel. A battle between Abner and Joab.

2:1. And after these things David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up into one of the cities of Juda? And the Lord said to him: Go up. And David said: Whither shall I go up? And he answered him: Into Hebron.

2:2. So David went up, and his two wives Achinoam the Jezrahelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel:

2:3. And the men also that were with him, David brought up every man with his household: and they abode in the towns of Hebron.

2:4. And the men of Juda came, and anointed David there, to be king over the house of Juda. And it was told David that the men of Jabes Galaad had buried Saul.

2:5. David therefore sent messengers to the men of Jabes Galaad, and said to them: Blessed be you to the Lord, who have shewn this mercy to your master Saul, and have buried him.

2:6. And now the Lord surely will render you mercy and truth, and I also will requite you for this good turn, because you have done this thing.

2:7. Let your hands be strengthened, and be ye men of valour: for although your master Saul be dead, yet the house of Juda hath anointed me to be their king.

2:8. But Abner the son of Ner, general of Saul's army, took Isboseth the son of Saul, and led him about through the camp,

2:9. And made him king over Galaad, and over Gessuri, and over Jezrahel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

2:10. Isboseth the son of Saul was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years; and only the house of Juda followed David.

He reigned two years... Viz., before he began visibly to decline: but in all he reigned seven years and six months; for so long David reigned in Hebron.

2:11. And the number of the days that David abode, reigning in Hebron over the house of Juda, was seven years and six months.

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