The Message (MSG)<\/p>\n
17-18<\/sup> Then David sang this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan, and gave orders that everyone in Judah learn it by heart. Yes, it’s even inscribed in The Book of Jashar. Here we are back with David- and reading his psalm-<\/em><\/p>\n dedicated to King Saul and Jonathan \u2013 after their deaths<\/em><\/p>\n in battle.\u00a0 This psalm or lament is not a part of the book of Psalms,<\/em><\/p>\n but it was well known in Israel by the king\u2019s command.<\/em><\/p>\n By King David\u2019s command.<\/em><\/p>\n Here again is the same psalm- this time from the NIV.<\/em><\/p>\n 17<\/sup> David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, 18<\/sup> and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):<\/p>\n 19<\/sup> \u201cA gazelle lies slain on your heights, Israel. 20<\/sup> \u201cTell it not in Gath, 21<\/sup> \u201cMountains of Gilboa, For there the shield of the mighty was despised, 22<\/sup> \u201cFrom the blood of the slain, 24<\/sup> \u201cDaughters of Israel, 25<\/sup> \u201cHow the mighty have fallen in battle! 27<\/sup> \u201cHow the mighty have fallen! David, if you remember, was a man after God\u2019s own heart.<\/em><\/p>\n And in looking at his life- through his poetry we can discern,<\/em><\/p>\n perhaps, those characteristics that made him such a man.<\/em><\/p>\n David speaks from his heart- out of genuine distress and sorrow,<\/em><\/p>\n and he laments the death of his enemy.\u00a0 For wasn\u2019t Saul intent upon<\/em><\/p>\n killing David?\u00a0\u00a0 He cries out for the death of his friend- for doesn\u2019t he call<\/em><\/p>\n Jonathan his brother?\u00a0 He sings a song of sadness and eulogy over<\/em><\/p>\n the loss of mighty warriors.<\/em><\/p>\n David is a man whose heart is loyal to friendship and honor.<\/em><\/p>\n He regrets the disrespect shown to the valor and kingship of Saul-<\/em><\/p>\n his voice is loud in defense- and\u00a0 praise for the dead is his song.<\/em><\/p>\n In order to look at God from David\u2019s perspective, first we must discover<\/em><\/p>\n that perspective.\u00a0 David was trustworthy as a friend and loyal as a subject.<\/em><\/p>\n War is not glorified- death is not minimized- courage and strength are not overlooked.<\/em><\/p>\n David looks at the battlefield and cries out-<\/p>\n \u201cHow the mighty have fallen!\u201d<\/p>\n Selah- pause a moment and think upon that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 2 Samuel 1:17-27 The Message (MSG) 17-18 Then David sang this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan, and gave orders that everyone in Judah learn it by heart. Yes, it’s even inscribed in The Book of Jashar. 19-21 Oh, … Continue reading
\n19-21<\/sup> Oh, oh, Gazelles of Israel, struck down on your hills,
\nthe mighty warriors\u2014fallen, fallen!
\nDon’t announce it in the city of Gath,
\ndon’t post the news in the streets of Ashkelon.
\nDon’t give those coarse Philistine girls
\none more excuse for a drunken party!
\nNo more dew or rain for you, hills of Gilboa,
\nand not a drop from springs and wells,
\nFor there the warriors’ shields were dragged through the mud,
\nSaul’s shield left there to rot.
\n22<\/sup> Jonathan’s bow was bold\u2014
\nthe bigger they were the harder they fell.
\nSaul’s sword was fearless\u2014
\nonce out of the scabbard, nothing could stop it.
\n23<\/sup> Saul and Jonathan\u2014beloved, beautiful!
\nTogether in life, together in death.
\nSwifter than plummeting eagles,
\nstronger than proud lions.
\n24-25<\/sup> Women of Israel, weep for Saul.
\nHe dressed you in finest cottons and silks,
\nspared no expense in making you elegant.
\nThe mighty warriors\u2014fallen, fallen
\nin the middle of the fight!
\nJonathan\u2014struck down on your hills!
\n26<\/sup> O my dear brother Jonathan,
\nI’m crushed by your death.
\nYour friendship was a miracle-wonder,
\nlove far exceeding anything I’ve known\u2014
\nor ever hope to know.
\n27<\/sup> The mighty warriors\u2014fallen, fallen.
\nAnd the arms of war broken to bits.<\/p>\n
\nHow the mighty have fallen!<\/p>\n
\nproclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
\nlest the daughters of the Philistines be glad,
\nlest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.<\/p>\n
\nmay you have neither dew nor rain,
\nmay no showers fall on your terraced fields.<\/p>\n
\nthe shield of Saul\u2014no longer rubbed with oil.<\/p>\n
\nfrom the flesh of the mighty,
\nthe bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
\nthe sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.
\n23<\/sup> Saul and Jonathan\u2014
\nin life they were loved and admired,
\nand in death they were not parted.
\nThey were swifter than eagles,
\nthey were stronger than lions.<\/p>\n
\nweep for Saul,
\nwho clothed you in scarlet and finery,
\nwho adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.<\/p>\n
\nJonathan lies slain on your heights.
\n26<\/sup> I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;
\nyou were very dear to me.
\nYour love for me was wonderful,
\nmore wonderful than that of women.<\/p>\n
\nThe weapons of war have perished.<\/p>\n