2 Samuel 1:19
Verse
Context
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The ode is arranged in three strophes, which gradually diminish in force and sweep (viz., Sa2 1:19-24, Sa2 1:25-26, Sa2 1:27), and in which the vehemence of the sorrow so gradually modified, and finally dies away. Each strophe opens with the exclamation, "How are the mighty fallen!" The first contains all that had to be said in praise of the fallen heroes; the deepest mourning for their death; and praise of their bravery, of their inseparable love, and of the virtues of Saul as king. The second commemorates the friendship between David and Jonathan. The third simply utters the last sigh, with which the elegy becomes silent. The first strophe runs thus: 19 The ornament, O Israel, is slain upon thy heights! Oh how are the mighty fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph! 21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let now dew or rain be upon you, or fields of first-fruit offerings: For there is the shield of the mighty 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 turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and kind, in life And in death they are not divided. Lighter than eagles were they; stronger than lions. 24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in purple with delight; Who put a golden ornament upon your apparel! The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! The first clause of Sa2 1:19 contains the theme of the entire ode. הצּבי does not mean the gazelle here (as the Syriac and Clericus and others render it), the only plausible support of which is the expression "upon thy heights," whereas the parallel גּבּורים shows that by הצּבי we are to understand the two heroes Saul and Jonathan, and that the word is used in the appellative sense of ornament. The king and his noble son were the ornament of Israel. They were slain upon the heights of Israel. Luther has given a correct rendering, so far as the sense is concerned (die Edelsten, the noblest), after the inclyti of the Vulgate. The pronoun "thy high places" refers to Israel. The reference is to the heights of the mountains of Gilboa (see Sa2 1:21). This event threw Israel into deep mourning, which commences in the second clause.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places--literally, "the gazelle" or "antelope of Israel." In Eastern countries, that animal is the chosen type of beauty and symmetrical elegance of form. how are the mighty fallen!--This forms the chorus.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places,.... The high mountains of Gilboa, where Saul their king, and Jonathan his son, a prince of the blood, and natural heir to the crown, and multitudes of young men, the flower of the nation, were wounded and slain. Here begins the lamentation, or the elegiac song: how are the mighty fallen! mighty men of war, strong and valiant, as Saul and his sons were, and the soldiers in his army.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:19 Your pride and joy: David’s description focused more on Saul’s royal position than on his personal characteristics.
2 Samuel 1:19
David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan
18and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar: 19“Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
David Lamenting Over the Death of Saul Part 2
By Chuck Smith85725:05David2SA 1:192SA 2:302SA 2:32PRO 3:5In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith reflects on the lamentation of David over the death of Saul. He emphasizes the beauty and might of Israel that has been lost. Pastor Chuck also mentions the city of Gath, where David found refuge, and warns against pride. The sermon then transitions to a lecture by Dr. David Menton, who disproves Darwinian evolution and discusses the importance of defending oneself and friends from bad science. The sermon concludes with a reflection on the violence and lack of progress in society, contrasting it with the anointing of David as king by God.
David's Godly Response to Saul's Death (2 Sam. 1)
By Mike Bickle2850:30LeadershipCompassion2SA 1:19Mike Bickle emphasizes that the life of David serves as a manual for responding to conflict and mistreatment, particularly in the context of leadership. He highlights David's godly response to Saul's death, showcasing how David viewed Saul not merely as an adversary but as a fallen leader deserving of honor and compassion. Bickle stresses that our emotional responses are deeply connected to how we perceive others, and that seeing people through God's eyes can transform our reactions and decisions. David's lament for Saul illustrates the importance of maintaining a redemptive perspective, even towards those who have wronged us, and encourages leaders to foster a culture of honor and grace.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The ode is arranged in three strophes, which gradually diminish in force and sweep (viz., Sa2 1:19-24, Sa2 1:25-26, Sa2 1:27), and in which the vehemence of the sorrow so gradually modified, and finally dies away. Each strophe opens with the exclamation, "How are the mighty fallen!" The first contains all that had to be said in praise of the fallen heroes; the deepest mourning for their death; and praise of their bravery, of their inseparable love, and of the virtues of Saul as king. The second commemorates the friendship between David and Jonathan. The third simply utters the last sigh, with which the elegy becomes silent. The first strophe runs thus: 19 The ornament, O Israel, is slain upon thy heights! Oh how are the mighty fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph! 21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let now dew or rain be upon you, or fields of first-fruit offerings: For there is the shield of the mighty 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 turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and kind, in life And in death they are not divided. Lighter than eagles were they; stronger than lions. 24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in purple with delight; Who put a golden ornament upon your apparel! The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! The first clause of Sa2 1:19 contains the theme of the entire ode. הצּבי does not mean the gazelle here (as the Syriac and Clericus and others render it), the only plausible support of which is the expression "upon thy heights," whereas the parallel גּבּורים shows that by הצּבי we are to understand the two heroes Saul and Jonathan, and that the word is used in the appellative sense of ornament. The king and his noble son were the ornament of Israel. They were slain upon the heights of Israel. Luther has given a correct rendering, so far as the sense is concerned (die Edelsten, the noblest), after the inclyti of the Vulgate. The pronoun "thy high places" refers to Israel. The reference is to the heights of the mountains of Gilboa (see Sa2 1:21). This event threw Israel into deep mourning, which commences in the second clause.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places--literally, "the gazelle" or "antelope of Israel." In Eastern countries, that animal is the chosen type of beauty and symmetrical elegance of form. how are the mighty fallen!--This forms the chorus.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places,.... The high mountains of Gilboa, where Saul their king, and Jonathan his son, a prince of the blood, and natural heir to the crown, and multitudes of young men, the flower of the nation, were wounded and slain. Here begins the lamentation, or the elegiac song: how are the mighty fallen! mighty men of war, strong and valiant, as Saul and his sons were, and the soldiers in his army.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:19 Your pride and joy: David’s description focused more on Saul’s royal position than on his personal characteristics.