Church Lectionary

¹After Saul's death David came back from his victory over the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag for two days.

¹⁷David sang this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, ¹⁸and ordered it to be taught to the people of Judah. (It is recorded in The Book of Jashar.)

¹⁹“On the hills of Israel our leaders are dead!

The bravest of our soldiers have fallen!

²⁰Do not announce it in Gath

or in the streets of Ashkelon.

Do not make the women of Philistia glad;

do not let the daughters of pagans rejoice.

²¹“May no rain or dew fall on Gilboa's hills;

may its fields be always barren!

For the shields of the brave lie there in disgrace;

the shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil.

²²Jonathan's bow was deadly,

the sword of Saul was merciless,

striking down the mighty, killing the enemy.

²³“Saul and Jonathan, so wonderful and dear;

together in life, together in death;

swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

²⁴“Women of Israel, mourn for Saul!

He clothed you in rich scarlet dresses

and adorned you with jewels and gold.

²⁵“The brave soldiers have fallen,

they were killed in battle.

Jonathan lies dead in the hills.

²⁶“I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan;

how dear you were to me!

How wonderful was your love for me,

better even than the love of women.

²⁷“The brave soldiers have fallen,

their weapons abandoned and useless.”