2 Samuel 1:17–27

¹⁷David sang the following lament^m for Saul and his son Jonathan, ¹⁸and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:^Bn

¹⁹The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights.

How the mighty have fallen!

²⁰Do not tell it in Gath,

don’t announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon,

or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,^o

and the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.

²¹Mountains of Gilboa,

let no dew or rain be on you,

or fields of offerings,^A

for there the shield of the mighty was defiled^p—

the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.^q

²²Jonathan’s bow never retreated,

Saul’s sword never returned unstained,^B

from the blood of the slain,

from the flesh^C of the mighty.

²³Saul and Jonathan,

loved and delightful,

they were not parted in life or in death.

They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

²⁴Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,

who clothed you in scarlet, with luxurious things,

who decked your garments with gold ornaments.^r

²⁵How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle!

Jonathan lies slain on your heights.

²⁶I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother.

You were such a friend to me.

Your love for me was more wondrous

than the love of women.^a

²⁷How the mighty have fallen

and the weapons of war have perished!