2 Samuel 1:17-27
17 Then David sang this song of mourning over Saul and his son Jonathan,
18 and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the mourning song of the bow; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.
19 “Your beauty, Israel, is slaughtered on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
20 “Tell it not in Gath,
Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
The daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.
21 “Mountains of Gilboa,
May there be no dew nor rain on you, or fields of offerings!
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
22 “From the blood of those slaughtered, from the fat of the mighty,
The bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
And the sword of Saul did not return unstained.
23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life,
And in their deaths they were not separated;
They were swifter than eagles,
They were mightier than lions.
24 “Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
Who clothed you in scarlet, with jewelry,
Who put gold jewelry on your apparel.
25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan is slaughtered on your high places.
26 “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
You have been a close friend to me.
Your love for me was more wonderful
Than the love of women.
27 “How the mighty have fallen,
And the weapons of war have perished!”
David’s Lamentation
Song of the bow
Next, David composed a lament for Saul and his son Jonathan and commanded that it be taught to the sons of Judah. This lament was recorded in Israel’s book of songs, “The Book of Jashar,” and came to be sung under the title “The Bow.” This lament consists of three stanzas, each beginning with the phrase, “Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”
The first stanza (v 19-24)
David expressed his deep sorrow directly through his song. (1) He sang that this news should not be brought to the land of the Philistines, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice and celebrate in triumph. (2) David cursed the mountains of Gilboa. Dew provides moisture in summer, and rain in winter nourishes the mountains. He called for these to be withheld. Of course, this is a poetic expression and does not mean that the mountains actually withered. (3) It is written, “The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.” This likely signifies that Saul died as if he were an ordinary man, without the dignity of one who had been anointed by the Lord. (4) David did not distort or exaggerate the facts to praise Saul. Instead, he chose to sing only of the praiseworthy aspects. Saul and Jonathan were noble warriors who fought together throughout their lives and were worthy of love and honor. This is the truth. (5) David praised Saul for fighting with all his heart to bring material blessings to the people of Israel.
The second stanza (v 25-26) and the third stanza (v 27)
(1) David mourned the death of his dear friend Jonathan. Reflecting on the love and friendship they shared during his lifetime, he sang, “Your love for me was more wonderful than the love of women.” This was a completely different kind of love from that between a man and a woman. (2) The covenant of friendship between David and Jonathan reminds us of the covenant and love between the Lord Jesus and us. David deeply loved Jonathan, and in the same way, the Lord Jesus loves us beyond measure. The only rightful response to His love is a response of love. Today, let us listen to the voice of the Lord Jesus as He asks, “Do you love Me?”
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, my heart is filled with gratitude knowing how deep and vast Your love is. I believe in You, and I love You.In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.