2 Samuel 1:17-27

New International Reader's Version

¹⁹ “Israel, a gazelle lies dead on your hills.
    Your mighty men have fallen.

²⁰ “Don’t announce it in Gath.
    Don’t tell it in the streets of Ashkelon.
If you do, the daughters of the Philistines will be glad.
    The daughters of men who haven’t been circumcised will be joyful.

²¹ “Mountains of Gilboa,
    may no dew or rain fall on you.
    May no showers fall on your hillside fields.
The shield of the mighty king wasn’t respected there.
    The shield of Saul lies there. It isn’t rubbed with oil anymore.
²² The bow of Jonathan didn’t turn back.
    The sword of Saul didn’t return without being satisfied.
They spilled the blood of their enemies.
    They killed mighty men.

²³ “When they lived, Saul and Jonathan were loved and respected.
    When they died, they were not parted.
They were faster than eagles.
    They were stronger than lions.

²⁴ “Daughters of Israel, mourn over Saul.
He dressed you in the finest clothes.
    He decorated your clothes with ornaments of gold.

²⁵ “Your mighty men have fallen in battle.
    Jonathan lies dead on your hills.
²⁶ My brother Jonathan, I’m filled with sadness because of you.
    You were very special to me.
Your love for me was wonderful.
    It was more wonderful than the love of women.

²⁷ “Israel’s mighty men have fallen.
    Their weapons of war are broken.”