17 Then David chanted with this lament over Saul and Jonathan his son , 18 and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow ; behold , it is written in the book of Jashar . 19 "[1]Your beauty , O Israel , is slain on your high places ! How have the mighty fallen ! 20 " Tell 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 . 21 " O mountains of Gilboa , Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings ; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled , The shield of Saul , not anointed with oil . 22 " From the blood of the slain , from the fat of the mighty , The bow of Jonathan did not turn back , And the sword of Saul did not return empty . 23 "Saul and Jonathan , beloved and pleasant in their life , And in their death they were not parted ; They were swifter than eagles , They were stronger than lions . 24 "O daughters of Israel , weep over Saul , Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet , Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel . 25 " How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle ! Jonathan is slain on your high places . 26 "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan ; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women . 27 " How have the mighty fallen , And the weapons of war perished !"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:17-27
Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:17-27
(Read 2 Samuel 1:17-27)
Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.