David’s Lament Over Saul and Jonathan (The Song of the Bow)

17

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

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(and he bade them teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

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

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Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

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Ye mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

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From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.

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Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided: They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.

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Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

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How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.

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I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Thy love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women.

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

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