2 Samuel 1:17

KJV

¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} lamented {H6969} with this lamentation {H7015} over Saul {H7586} and over Jonathan {H3083} his son {H1121}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then David pronounced this lament over Sha'ul and over Y'honatan his son,

Berean Standard Bible

Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan,

American Standard Version

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 1:17 serves as the poignant introduction to David's deeply moving lament, often referred to as "The Song of the Bow," mourning the tragic deaths of King Saul and his beloved son, Jonathan, on Mount Gilboa. This verse immediately establishes David's profound sorrow and his intention to publicly express his grief through a formal dirge, underscoring his character marked by loyalty, respect for God's anointed, and an extraordinary capacity for love, even in the face of personal gain.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the grim report delivered by an Amalekite, falsely claiming to have killed Saul and bringing Saul's crown and armlet to David, expecting a reward. Instead of rejoicing at the removal of his persecutor and the clear path to the throne, David's response is one of profound grief. He and his men tear their clothes, weep, and fast until evening, mourning Saul, Jonathan, and the fallen army of Israel, as detailed in [2 Samuel 1:11-12](/2-samuel/1-11-12 "2 Samuel 1:11-12 - David and His Men Mourn"). Verse 17 then transitions from this immediate, visceral reaction to a structured, poetic expression of sorrow, indicating that David's grief was not merely internal but also a public, communal act of remembrance and honor. The lament itself follows in the subsequent verses, from [2 Samuel 1:19](/2-samuel/1-19 "2 Samuel 1:19 - The Song of the Bow Begins") through [2 Samuel 1:27](/2-samuel/1-27 "2 Samuel 1:27 - Concluding Lament"), making verse 17 the crucial narrative bridge introducing this significant piece of biblical poetry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Ziklag, a Philistine town where David and his men had been residing as vassals, having fled from Saul's relentless pursuit. The news of Saul's death on Mount Gilboa, as narrated in [1 Samuel 31](/1-samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul"), marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history, signifying the end of the united monarchy under Saul and the imminent transition to David's reign. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public lamentation was a deeply ingrained social and religious practice, often involving professional mourners, specific poetic forms (dirges or laments), and ritualistic expressions of grief like tearing clothes, wearing sackcloth, and fasting. Such laments served not only as an outlet for personal sorrow but also as a communal act of acknowledging loss, honoring the deceased, and processing national tragedy. David, as a future king, models appropriate leadership by engaging in this cultural practice, demonstrating respect for the fallen king and a shared sense of national loss.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, by introducing David's lament, highlights several profound themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **grief and lamentation** as a legitimate and necessary human response to loss, even for powerful leaders. David's raw sorrow contrasts sharply with the Amalekite's opportunistic report, revealing David's righteous character. Secondly, it emphasizes **respect for God's anointed**, even when that anointed leader has been a personal enemy. Despite Saul's repeated attempts on David's life, David consistently refused to harm him, recognizing Saul's divine appointment, as seen in [1 Samuel 24:6](/1-samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul at En Gedi"). His lament over Saul affirms this deep reverence, demonstrating a profound understanding of God's sovereignty over human institutions. Thirdly, and most poignantly, it highlights the theme of **unwavering friendship** between David and Jonathan. Their covenantal bond, forged in loyalty and selflessness, as established in [1 Samuel 18:1-4](/1-samuel/18-1-4 "1 Samuel 18:1-4 - Jonathan's Love for David"), transcended the political rivalry between their fathers and serves as a biblical paradigm for true companionship. David's specific mention of Jonathan in the lament's introduction foreshadows the profound expression of love found later in the song, particularly in [2 Samuel 1:26](/2-samuel/1-26 "2 Samuel 1:26 - David's Love for Jonathan").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lamented (Hebrew, _qûwn'_):** This verb (H6969) is a primitive root meaning "to strike a musical note, i.e. chant or wail (at a funeral)." It signifies an active, purposeful expression of sorrow, often in a structured, poetic form. The Piel imperfect form used here (wayqōnen) suggests an intensive or causative action, indicating that David not only felt profound grief but also formally composed and recited a dirge. This is more than a spontaneous cry; it is a public, formal act of mourning, implying a deliberate artistic and communal expression of sorrow.
* **lamentation (Hebrew, _qîynâh'_):** This noun (H7015), derived from the verb _qûwn_, refers to "a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)." The definite article "this" (ה, _ha_) before _qîynâh_ (קינה) indicates a specific, known, or archetypal form of lament. A _qîynâ_ is a funeral dirge or mournful song, often characterized by a distinctive poetic meter (the _qînâ_ meter, or "limping meter," where the second half of a poetic line is shorter than the first, creating a sense of brokenness or sorrow). This term specifies the genre of the song David composed and recited, emphasizing its formal, artistic, and communal nature, designed to be heard and remembered by others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David lamented":** This opening phrase immediately establishes David as the subject and the act of lamentation as his primary, deliberate response to the news of Saul and Jonathan's deaths. The verb "lamented" (wayqōnen) signifies a formal, public act of mourning, involving the composition and recitation of a dirge, rather than merely a private expression of grief.
* **"with this lamentation":** The phrase "this lamentation" (haqqînâ hazzōʾt) points specifically to the formal dirge that follows in the subsequent verses ([2 Samuel 1:19-27](/2-samuel/1-19-27 "2 Samuel 1:19-27 - David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan")). It signals to the reader that the narrative is transitioning from a description of David's emotional state to the actual poetic expression of his grief. The definite article "this" emphasizes its particularity and significance as a composed work, a specific piece of poetry.
* **"over Saul and over Jonathan his son":** This crucial concluding phrase identifies the specific objects of David's profound sorrow. The repetition of the preposition "over" (ʿal) underscores the dual nature of his grief: a national mourning for the fallen king, Saul, despite their tumultuous relationship, and an intensely personal mourning for his beloved friend, Jonathan. This immediately sets the emotional and thematic focus for the entire lament, highlighting both David's respect for divine authority and his deep capacity for loyal friendship.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 1:17 effectively employs several literary devices to set the tone for the ensuing lament. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as this introductory verse directly announces the subject and nature of the poetic piece that follows, preparing the reader for the depth of emotion and the specific individuals to be mourned. The use of **Repetition** with the preposition "over" ("over Saul and over Jonathan his son") serves to emphasize the dual focus of David's grief, underscoring that both men, though connected by family, represented distinct losses to David. This repetition also creates a sense of **Parallelism**, drawing a connection between the two figures in David's mind and highlighting the comprehensive nature of David's sorrow. Furthermore, the very act of "lamenting with this lamentation" points to the genre of **Elegy** or **Dirge**, a formal poetic expression of mourning, which immediately conveys a sense of solemnity and profound sorrow. The verse's concise nature, yet rich implication, also contributes to its **Pathos**, immediately evoking sympathy and understanding for David's emotional state and setting the stage for the emotional impact of the full lament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's lament over Saul and Jonathan, introduced by 2 Samuel 1:17, is a profound theological statement on the nature of grief, leadership, and human relationships within a covenantal framework. It reveals a leader whose heart is aligned with God's purposes, even when those purposes bring personal sorrow. David's respect for Saul, God's anointed, despite Saul's personal failings and relentless pursuit of David, underscores the biblical principle of honoring authority, not merely for the individual's merit, but for the office they hold by divine appointment. This demonstrates a mature faith that sees beyond personal grievances to God's sovereign hand. Furthermore, the lament's emphasis on Jonathan highlights the sacredness of covenant friendship, a bond that transcends political ambition and familial loyalties, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His covenants. This verse sets the stage for a lament that is not merely an personal expression of pain but a public testimony to God's sovereignty, the value of human life, and the enduring power of love and loyalty.

* [1 Samuel 24:6](/1-samuel/24-6 "David Spares Saul at En Gedi")
* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's immediate and profound lament in 2 Samuel 1:17, rather than a celebration of his enemy's demise, offers a powerful model for believers in how to navigate loss and demonstrate Christ-like character. It teaches us that grief is a natural and biblically affirmed response to tragedy, encouraging us to embrace and express our sorrow authentically, rather than suppressing it. David's lament also challenges us to cultivate a heart of respect and honor, even towards those who may have wronged us or hold positions of authority we find challenging. His unwavering loyalty to Jonathan, even in death, reminds us of the immense value of deep, covenantal friendships that mirror God's own faithfulness. In a world often driven by self-interest and quick to celebrate the downfall of rivals, David's lament stands as a testament to humility, compassion, and a profound understanding of human dignity, urging us to mourn with those who mourn and to honor all people, reflecting the image of God within them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate response to Saul's death challenge our natural inclination to rejoice when an adversary falls, and what does this reveal about David's character?**
* **In what ways can we, like David, demonstrate respect and honor for those in authority, even when we disagree with or have been hurt by them?**
* **What does David's profound grief for Jonathan teach us about the value and nature of deep, loyal friendships in our own lives?**
* **How can embracing and expressing lament, as David did, be a healthy and spiritually formative practice in our own experiences of loss?**

### FAQ
**Why did David lament for Saul, given that Saul had relentlessly persecuted him?**

Answer: David's lament for Saul, introduced in [2 Samuel 1:17](/2-samuel/1-17 "2 Samuel 1:17 - David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan"), demonstrates his profound respect for God's anointed king, regardless of Saul's personal failings and his attempts on David's life. David consistently refused to harm Saul, recognizing that Saul's authority came from God, as seen in [1 Samuel 24:6](/1-samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul at En Gedi") and [1 Samuel 26:9](/1-samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Refuses to Harm Saul Again"). His lament was not just a personal expression of sorrow but also a public act of mourning for the fallen king of Israel, acknowledging the national tragedy and upholding the sanctity of the office. It showcased David's righteous character, his humility, and his deep understanding of God's sovereignty over human rulers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's lament for Saul and Jonathan, initiated in [2 Samuel 1:17](/2-samuel/1-17 "2 Samuel 1:17 - David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan"), finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's profound grief, particularly for Jonathan, foreshadows the ultimate sorrow of God over humanity's sin and death. Just as David mourned the loss of a beloved friend and a fallen king, Jesus, the perfect King, lamented over Jerusalem's rejection of Him, as recorded in [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem"), and wept at the tomb of Lazarus, demonstrating His deep empathy with human suffering and loss, as seen in [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept"). David's respect for Saul, the flawed anointed one, points to Christ, the truly Anointed One, who perfectly honored His Father's will even unto death on the cross, as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"). Furthermore, David's lament, a public dirge, anticipates the ultimate act of lament and sacrifice on the cross, where Christ bore the full weight of humanity's sin and sorrow, becoming the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus transforms our laments into hope, promising a day when all mourning, crying, and pain will be no more, as revealed in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain"), ultimately fulfilling the longing for restoration and eternal life that every lament implicitly expresses.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 35:25

And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they [are] written in the lamentations.

2 Samuel 1:19

The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

Jeremiah 9:17

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning [women], that they may come:

Jeremiah 9:21

For death is come up into our windows, [and] is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, [and] the young men from the streets.

Genesis 50:11

And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This [is] a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which [is] beyond Jordan.