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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:17 - 1:27
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David's Lament
v. 17. And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan, his son; he composed this elegy, or song of mourning, as an expression of his deep and sincere grief over the death of the king and of his dearest friend
v. 18. (also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow, he commanded that this song be practiced, learned by heart; behold, it is written in the Book of Jasher, it was a battle-song recorded in the Book of the Upright, and the bow was afterwards a very important weapon in Israel):
v. 19. The beauty, the glory, of Israel is slain upon thy high places, namely, by the death of Saul and Jonathan on Mount Gilboa. Now are the mighty fallen!
v. 20. Tell it not in Gath, publish, announce, it not in the streets of Askelon, these being two of the five large Philistine cities, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. If Philistia should learn of the death of the heroes of Israel, there would be, and there undoubtedly was, a scornful joy over the victory.
v. 21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you nor fields of offerings, of first-fruits; the heavens should withhold their moisture, and the earth should refuse to give her increase, as a sign of mourning over the defeat; for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, defiled with dust and blood, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil; no one was there to take the shield, the emblem of the leader of the army, out of the dirt to clean and to polish its surface anew.
v. 22. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, considered a sign of great strength, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty; both heroes were accustomed to gain complete victories, to destroy every opposing enemy, their bravery, their prowess, was known far and wide.
v. 23. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant, worthy of lore, beloved, and amiable, in their lives, and in their death they were not divided. United by love in life, they were bound together in death, together they gave their lives for Israel. They were swifter than eagles, distinguished for quickness and agility; they were stronger than lions, of lionlike courage and strength.
v. 24. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, in crimson or purple garments from the booty of war, with other delights, adornments that pleased them; who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel, as a proof of his kingly largess.
v. 25. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places! Here the key-note of the entire lament is once more sounded, with special reference to Jonathan.
v. 26. I am distressed for thee, filled with anxious thoughts by reason of grief and mourning, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant, beloved, hast thou been unto me; thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women, known for the depth of their affection and devotion.
v. 27. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war, the heroes of Israel, as the instruments of battle, perished! The elegy was a national song and preserved the names of Saul and Jonathan in Israel. True lore and friendship requites that a person mourn the loss of a friend and always keep him in fond remembrance.