The Song of the Bow

17 Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18 uand he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written vin the Book 3of Jasher:

19 “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places!

wHow the mighty have fallen!

20 xTell it not in Gath,

Proclaim it not in the streets of yAshkelon—

Lest zthe daughters of the Philistines rejoice,

Lest the daughters of athe uncircumcised triumph.

21 “O bmountains of Gilboa,

cLet there be no dew nor rain upon you,

Nor fields of offerings.

For the shield of the mighty is 4cast away there!

The shield of Saul, not danointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain,

From the fat of the mighty,

eThe bow of Jonathan did not turn back,

And the sword of Saul did not return empty.

23 “Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives,

And in their fdeath they were not divided;

They were swifter than eagles,

They were gstronger than lions.

24 “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,

Who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury;

Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!

Jonathan was slain in your high places.

26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;

You have been very pleasant to me;

hYour love to me was wonderful,

Surpassing the love of women.

27 “How ithe mighty have fallen,

And the weapons of war perished!”