2 Samuel 1:19

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

The beauty {H6643} of Israel {H3478} is slain {H2491} upon thy high places {H1116}: how are the mighty {H1368} fallen {H5307}!

"Your glory, Isra'el, lies dead on your high places! How the heroes have fallen!

โ€œYour glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!

Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!

Commentary

2 Samuel 1:19 is a poignant cry from David's lament, known as "The Song of the Bow," mourning the deaths of King Saul and his beloved son, Jonathan.

Context

This verse immediately follows David receiving the devastating news of Saul and Jonathan's demise in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. Despite Saul's relentless pursuit of David, David expresses profound grief, not triumph, highlighting his respect for God's anointed and his deep personal bond with Jonathan. The messenger from the battlefield brought not only the news but also Saul's crown and bracelet, symbolizing the transfer of power, yet David's reaction is one of immense sorrow and national mourning.

Key Themes

  • Profound Grief and Loss: David's lament encapsulates the shock and sorrow felt over the loss of Israel's king and a valiant prince. The phrase "how are the mighty fallen!" is repeated for emphasis, underscoring the tragic nature of their deaths.
  • The "Beauty of Israel": This evocative phrase, literally meaning "the gazelle" or "the glory," refers to the fallen heroes, primarily Saul and Jonathan, who were once the strength and pride of the nation. Their death is depicted as a profound wound to the heart of Israel.
  • Tragedy of Leadership: The verse speaks to the vulnerability of even the most powerful leaders and the devastating impact their fall can have on a nation. It marks the end of an era for Israel under King Saul.
  • David's Character: David's lament reveals his noble character, demonstrating respect for Saul as God's anointed king and and his deep love for Jonathan, transcending personal rivalry and past conflicts. His sorrow is genuine, as seen also in his personal tribute to Jonathan later in the lament.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "beauty" (ืฆึฐื‘ึดื™, tsevi) can mean "gazelle," "glory," or "splendor." Here, it vividly portrays the swift, strong, and noble essence of Israel's heroes, now tragically cut down. The "high places" (ื‘ึธึผืžื•ึนืช, bamot) refers simply to the elevated battleground, Mount Gilboa, where the tragedy unfolded, not necessarily implying idolatrous sites in this context.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even in times of transition or the fall of leaders, genuine sorrow and respect for human life and God-given authority are paramount. It highlights the universal experience of grief over significant loss, whether personal or national. For believers, it can prompt reflection on the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God, who raises up and brings down leaders according to His purpose. It also encourages us to mourn with those who mourn, even our adversaries, reflecting a heart of compassion that transcends enmity, much like David's example of weeping with those who weep.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 1:27

    How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

  • Deuteronomy 4:7

    For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?

  • Deuteronomy 4:8

    And what nation [is there so] great, that hath statutes and judgments [so] righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

  • 2 Samuel 1:25

    How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, [thou wast] slain in thine high places.

  • Lamentations 5:16

    The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!

  • 1 Samuel 31:8

    ยถ And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

  • Lamentations 2:1

    ยถ How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, [and] cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!
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