The Song of the Bow or the Lament of the Bow
When David learned Saul and Jonathan were dead and Israel routed at Mount Gilboa by the Philistines, David lamented over Saul and Jonathan with a lamentation he said should be taught to the people of Judah. It is also written in the Book of Jashar.
- “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! / How the mighty have fallen!
- 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 exult.
- “You mountains of Gilboa, / let there be no dew or rain upon you, / nor fields of offerings!
- For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, / the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
- “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.
- “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! / In life and in death they were not divided;
- they were swifter than eagles; / they were stronger than lions.
- “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, / who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, / who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
- “How the mighty have fallen / in the midst of the battle!
- “Jonathan lies slain on your high places. / I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
- very pleasant have you been to me; / your love to me was extraordinary, / surpassing the love of women.
- “How the mighty have fallen, / and the weapons of war perished!”
When David demonstrates his innocence at the funeral of Abner, he lamented:
- Should Abner die as a fool dies?
- Your hands were not bound; / your feet were not fettered;
- as one falls before the wicked / you have fallen.
(2 Samuel 3)