2 Samuel 1:19–27

¹⁹“Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!

How the mighty have fallen!^*

²⁰Tell 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.^*

²¹You mountains of Gilboa,

let there be no dew or rain upon you

nor bounteous fields!^c

For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,

the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no more.^*

²²From 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.^*

²³Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!

In life and in death they were not divided;

they were swifter than eagles;

they were stronger than lions.^*

²⁴O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,

who clothed you with crimson, in luxury,

who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

²⁵How the mighty have fallen

in the midst of the battle!

Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.^*

²⁶I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;

greatly beloved were you to me;

your love to me was wonderful,

passing the love of women.^*

²⁷How the mighty have fallen,

and the weapons of war perished!”^*