The Way
Grief over Gilboa
The Song of the Bow for a fallen king and a friend
Story
The slopes of Mount Gilboa were covered with the bodies of Israel's soldiers. Saul's three sons, Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchi-shua, had fallen, and Saul himself was badly wounded by the archers. Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through.” The armor-bearer was too afraid. Saul fell on his own sword. The next day the Philistines hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan.
When the warriors of Jabesh-gilead heard, they walked all night and took the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the wall. They buried the bones under the tamarisk tree and fasted seven days. Around that time a young Amalekite came to David at Ziklag, his clothes torn and dirt on his head. He claimed he had killed Saul and held out the crown and the armband. David tore his clothes and wept and fasted until evening.
Then David composed a song and had it taught to the people of Judah. In it, the song called the Bow, David wept: “Your glory, Israel, lies slain on the heights. How the mighty have fallen! Do not tell it in Gath. Mountains of Gilboa, let no dew or rain fall on you. Saul and Jonathan were not parted in life or in death. My brother Jonathan, my heart is torn for you.”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
Your glory, Israel, lies slain on the heights. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
My brother Jonathan, my heart aches for you. You were so dear to me. Your love for me was more wonderful than the love of women.
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and dear in life, were not parted even in death. They were swifter than eagles and stronger than lions.
Draw your sword and run me through, so that these uncircumcised men do not come and run me through and make sport of me.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Sam 31:1–13 · 2 Sam 1:1–27
Background
The Song of the Bow is said to have been written in the Book of Jashar (2 Sam 1:18). Jabesh-gilead was the town Saul first rescued from the Ammonites after he became king (1 Sam 11).
Pause and Reflect
When someone who hated me falls, am I glad or am I grieved?