Font Size
2 Samuel 1:18-27
Revised Standard Version
2 Samuel 1:18-27
Revised Standard Version
18 and he said it[a] should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.[b] He said:
19 “Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places!
How are the mighty fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath,
publish it not in the streets of Ash′kelon;
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
21 “Ye mountains of Gilbo′a,
let there be no dew or rain upon you,
nor upsurging of the deep![c]
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
22 “From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan turned not back,
and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles,
they were stronger than lions.
24 “Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you daintily in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 “How are the mighty fallen
in the midst of the battle!
“Jonathan lies slain upon thy high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was wonderful,
passing the love of women.
27 “How are the mighty fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 1:18 Gk: Heb the Bow
- 2 Samuel 1:18 Or The upright
- 2 Samuel 1:21 Cn: Heb fields of offerings
2 Samuel 1:18-27
New International Version
2 Samuel 1:18-27
New International Version
18 and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):(A)
20 “Tell it not in Gath,(D)
proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,(E)
lest the daughters of the Philistines(F) be glad,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.(G)
21 “Mountains of Gilboa,(H)
may you have neither dew(I) nor rain,(J)
may no showers fall on your terraced fields.[b](K)
For there the shield of the mighty was despised,
the shield of Saul—no longer rubbed with oil.(L)
22 “From the blood(M) of the slain,
from the flesh of the mighty,
the bow(N) of Jonathan did not turn back,
the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.
23 Saul and Jonathan—
in life they were loved and admired,
and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,(O)
they were stronger than lions.(P)
24 “Daughters of Israel,
weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.(Q)
25 “How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26 I grieve(R) for you, Jonathan(S) my brother;(T)
you were very dear to me.
Your love for me was wonderful,(U)
more wonderful than that of women.
27 “How the mighty have fallen!
The weapons of war have perished!”(V)
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 1:19 Gazelle here symbolizes a human dignitary.
- 2 Samuel 1:21 Or / nor fields that yield grain for offerings
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.