David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan

17 David took up this lament(A) concerning Saul and his son Jonathan,(B) 18 and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):(C)

19 “A gazelle[a] lies slain on your heights, Israel.
    How the mighty(D) have fallen!(E)

20 “Tell it not in Gath,(F)
    proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,(G)
lest the daughters of the Philistines(H) be glad,
    lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.(I)

21 “Mountains of Gilboa,(J)
    may you have neither dew(K) nor rain,(L)
    may no showers fall on your terraced fields.[b](M)
For there the shield of the mighty was despised,
    the shield of Saul—no longer rubbed with oil.(N)

22 “From the blood(O) of the slain,
    from the flesh of the mighty,
the bow(P) 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,(Q)
    they were stronger than lions.(R)

24 “Daughters of Israel,
    weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
    who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.(S)

25 “How the mighty have fallen in battle!
    Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26 I grieve(T) for you, Jonathan(U) my brother;(V)
    you were very dear to me.
Your love for me was wonderful,(W)
    more wonderful than that of women.

27 “How the mighty have fallen!
    The weapons of war have perished!”(X)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 1:19 Gazelle here symbolizes a human dignitary.
  2. 2 Samuel 1:21 Or / nor fields that yield grain for offerings

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor(A)
    and the day of vengeance(B) of our God,
to comfort(C) all who mourn,(D)
    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown(E) of beauty
    instead of ashes,(F)
the oil(G) of joy
    instead of mourning,(H)
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting(I) of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.(J)

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Come near to God and he will come near to you.(A) Wash your hands,(B) you sinners, and purify your hearts,(C) you double-minded.(D) Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.(E) 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.(F)

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17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;(A)
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’[a](B)
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’[b](C)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 7:17 Isaiah 49:10
  2. Revelation 7:17 Isaiah 25:8

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