The Song of the Bow or the Lament of the Bow
Originator of the phrase "how the mighty have fallen." (First Page Google Results)
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.
The Book of Jasher is for recording accounts of significant moments in Israel's history. Of all the times, Saul's death is chosen for meditation by future generations. The Book of Jasher is now lost to time, but God ensured this excerpt is preserved in canonized Scripture. We should observe this personal lament by David for Saul, Jonathan, and all of Israel.
(2 Samuel 1 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh by Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M80xL-pEIdk)
- “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!”
Why
Obvious, David would lament Jonathan. But why did he lament Saul? And why would he have this taught to Judah, his own tribe?
There is something to be learned from Saul's death. Perhaps there was a prophetic element.
Also, David genuinely loved Saul. How could he not? He lived with him and grew under him. Also, deaths broke David. He knew eternity, so perhaps the deaths of the wicked were tragic.
He was also aware of the contempt for God's people that would come from the failure of His leader.
The good of man and the glory of God preceded himself, his ambition, comfort, and his position. Moses also put the glory of God in the eyes of all nations before any opportunity given to increase himself.
(2 Samuel 1 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh by Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M80xL-pEIdk)
Meditation
The Mighty fall to sin when they do not know how to conquer the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pride, sexual temptation. Let not the heart turn aside to her ways. Saul's jealous thought, David's one glance that he did not kill when it was a suggestion and it became illicit sex.
Keep news silent of the fall, lest the world be strengthened in their unbelief and given more ammo. Do not bring issues within the house of God before unbelievers. Deal with it inside the church, or you are saying the principles of God are not effective for reconciling the drama and we need the world's courts. Better to give it all away for the sake of Christ's name. Obviously David knew Gath knew, but he wants his people to be aware of how they speak of the fall of their leaders. Don't share sins outside the church, but if it's so serious it's no longer containable, communicate and express the issues in redemptive ways. Let us be wise, and if it comes to that point, let's be broken over it and declare the gospel and point to the righteousness of Jesus in it. You would reap more fruit if you don't focus on failings of the church all day and instead were concerned with God's glory.
David is desiring Creation to mourn Saul, as what happened there is the result of sin. Some even say he is cursing Mount Gilboa. Sin makes us empty and barren. He curses the Mount to be unable to offer God grain, just as sin robbed Saul of the worship of his body to the LORD.
His relationship with Saul makes it shocking to hear him describe "beloved" and "lovely" and "undivided against his son" Saul. But he was, at the beginning of his reign. His success made Israel rich. And Saul and Jonathan went on to die together in battle. David not only refused to touch the LORD's anointed, but he also did not damage his reputation. He was honorable and Christ-like. Don't relive trauma. Know the freedom of being able to honor those who are not worthy of it, especially if their position is honorable. "Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others." (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22) David never lies and starts mentioning his spirituality. He was honest.
He gave special tribute to Jonathan because he had a connection with him that he did not have with Saul. Gays point to this as a proof text, but that points to our society being so sexualized that it is unfathomable to have love and a meaningful relationship without sex and to have a deep friendship outside of marriage. You cannot know true love outside of God. It doesn't help that David wasn't honoring God's principles in the context of marriage, possibly never knowing the true fulfillment of marriage. If such a love is possible, moreso with the One who made your heart.
David overlooked Saul's resume of sins. In Christ, Christ will not bring up our faults. And He will not speak of our goodness but Christ's goodness.
(2 Samuel 1 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh by Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M80xL-pEIdk)