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David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan
After hearing of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths, David speaks a lament. This poem grieves a national loss, honours the fallen, and shows David’s personal sorrow, especially for Jonathan.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
The passage says David lamented over Saul and Jonathan and ordered this song to be taught in Judah. It is called “the song of the bow” and is said to be written in the book of Jashar. The verses that follow are the words of that lament.
2 Samuel 1:17–27Main takeaway
This lament shows that grief may remember loss publicly, honour the fallen, and speak personal sorrow plainly.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A lament taught to othersThe passage opens by saying David lamented over Saul and Jonathan. He also commanded that this song be taught to the children of Judah.
Explanation
The passage opens by saying David lamented over Saul and Jonathan. He also commanded that this song be taught to the children of Judah. So this was not only private sorrow. The lament was to be learned and remembered. Its title, “the song of the bow”, connects with the battle language later in the poem.
02A repeated cry of lossThe poem begins with a sharp cry: “Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!”
Explanation
The poem begins with a sharp cry: “Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” The passage does not explain the phrase further, but it clearly marks deep loss. David also says the news should not be told in Philistine cities, so that enemies will not rejoice over Israel’s defeat.
03Praise for Saul and JonathanThe poem addresses the mountains of Gilboa as the place tied to this battle loss. It speaks of Saul’s shield and praises Jonathan’s bow and Saul’s sword as effective in battle.
Explanation
The poem addresses the mountains of Gilboa as the place tied to this battle loss. It speaks of Saul’s shield and praises Jonathan’s bow and Saul’s sword as effective in battle. David says Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in life, not divided in death, swift as eagles, and strong as lions.
04Public mourning and personal griefDavid calls on the daughters of Israel to weep over Saul, naming scarlet clothing and gold ornaments.
Explanation
David calls on the daughters of Israel to weep over Saul, naming scarlet clothing and gold ornaments. Then the lament turns personal as David speaks directly of Jonathan. He says he is distressed and that Jonathan’s love was wonderful to him. The poem closes by repeating, “How the mighty have fallen”.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why might David have wanted this lament taught to the children of Judah?
Look at how the passage moves from reporting death to preserving a song for others to learn and remember.
02What repeated line holds the poem together, and what part of the loss does it highlight?
Notice the words repeated in verses 19, 25, and 27 and connect them with the battle and the fallen.
03How does the lament show both national sorrow and David’s personal sorrow?
Compare the call for the daughters of Israel to weep with David’s direct words about Jonathan.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Samuel 1:17–27
17David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son
18(and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):
19“Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
20Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you, and no fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was defiled and cast away, the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty.
23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. In their death, they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions.
24You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you delicately in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.
25How the mighty have fallen in the middle of the battle! Jonathan was slain on your high places.
26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.
27How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!”