2 Samuel 1:19–27

^19–21Oh, oh, Gazelles of Israel, struck down on your hills,

the mighty warriors—fallen, fallen!

Don’t announce it in the city of Gath,

don’t post the news in the streets of Ashkelon.

Don’t give those coarse Philistine girls

one more excuse for a drunken party!

No more dew or rain for you, hills of Gilboa,

and not a drop from springs and wells,

For there the warriors’ shields were dragged through the mud,

Saul’s shield left there to rot.

²²Jonathan’s bow was bold—

the bigger they were the harder they fell.

Saul’s sword was fearless—

once out of the scabbard, nothing could stop it.

²³Saul and Jonathan—beloved, beautiful!

Together in life, together in death.

Swifter than plummeting eagles,

stronger than proud lions.

^24–25Women of Israel, weep for Saul.

He dressed you in finest cottons and silks,

spared no expense in making you elegant.

The mighty warriors—fallen, fallen

in the middle of the fight!

Jonathan—struck down on your hills!

²⁶O my dear brother Jonathan,

I’m crushed by your death.

Your friendship was a miracle-wonder,

love far exceeding anything I’ve known—

or ever hope to know.

²⁷The mighty warriors—fallen, fallen.

And the arms of war broken to bits.