2 Samuel 1:17-27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
17 David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan.(A) 18 (He ordered that The Song of the Bow[a] be taught to the people of Judah; it is written in the Book of Jashar.) He said,(B)
19 “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!(C)
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 exult.(D)
21 You mountains of Gilboa,
let there be no dew or rain upon you
nor bounteous fields![b]
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no more.(E)
22 From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
nor the sword of Saul return empty.(F)
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.(G)
24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you with crimson, in luxury,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25 How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.(H)
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
greatly beloved were you to me;
your love to me was wonderful,
passing the love of women.(I)
27 How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”(J)
2 Samuel 1:17-27
Evangelical Heritage Version
David’s Lament
17 David mourned with this funeral song about Saul and his son Jonathan. 18 He gave orders to teach the men of Judah this song, which was named “The Bow,” so it was recorded in the Book of Jashar.[a]
19 The splendor of Israel has been slain upon your high places.
How the mighty warriors have fallen!
20 You must not tell about it in Gath.
You must not publish it in the streets of Ashkelon.
If you do, the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice.
The daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.
21 You mountains of Gilboa, may no dew or rain fall on you.
May your fields produce no special offerings.[b]
For there the shield of the mighty was desecrated.
The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain,
from the fat[c] of the mighty warriors,
the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
and the sword of Saul never returned empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were the most loved and admired during their lives,
and in their deaths they were not separated.
They were swifter than eagles.
They were stronger than lions.
24 Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul.
He clothed you in scarlet and luxury.
He provided gold ornaments for your clothing.
25 How the mighty warriors have fallen in the midst of battle!
Jonathan lies slain on your high places!
26 I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan!
You were very dear to me.
Your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women.
27 How the mighty warriors have fallen!
The weapons of war have perished!
Notas al pie
- 2 Samuel 1:18 Or the Book of the Upright
- 2 Samuel 1:21 The whole line reads fields of special offerings.
- 2 Samuel 1:22 Fat is sometimes a term for strength in Hebrew. The combination of blood and fat may picture the fallen warriors as sacrifices.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.