2 Samuel 1:23 kjv

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 1:23 nkjv

"Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 1:23 niv

Saul and Jonathan? in life they were loved and admired, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 1:23 esv

"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.

2 Samuel 1:23 nlt

How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan!
They were together in life and in death.
They were swifter than eagles,
stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 1 verses

2 Samuel 1 23 Meaning

2 Samuel 1:23 is a poignant part of David's lament (a dirge known as "The Song of the Bow") over the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan. It eulogizes them by highlighting their beloved character and united front in life and death. The verse praises their extraordinary military prowess, likening their speed to eagles and their strength to lions, depicting them as formidable warriors. David's words convey admiration for their valiant conduct, especially their inseparable bond in sharing a common fate in battle, emphasizing a noble end for the kingdom's fallen leaders.

2 Samuel 1 23 Context

This verse is part of David's sorrowful lament upon hearing of the deaths of King Saul and Jonathan, his beloved friend, during the battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa (2 Sam 1:1-16). David, having been in exile and often pursued by Saul, now mourns the very king who sought his life and Jonathan, his covenant friend who faithfully stood by him. The lament, recorded in 2 Samuel 1:17-27, is called "The Song of the Bow" and serves not only as an expression of profound personal grief but also as a powerful political statement, unifying the grieving nation under the memory of its fallen king and valiant prince. David’s elegy idealizes Saul and Jonathan, praising their shared leadership and martial excellence, particularly their unity in death, setting a tone of reconciliation and national unity before David assumes the throne.

2 Samuel 1 23 Word analysis

• Saul and Jonathan: Refers to Israel's first king and his son. Their naming emphasizes the specific individuals for whom David expresses profound grief and admiration. Despite Saul's earlier antagonism towards David, David honors both his king and his dearest friend.

• lovely: נֶאֱהָבִים (ne'ehāvīm). This Hebrew word implies being "loved" or "beloved." It speaks to their attractiveness not just in appearance but in their character, or perhaps the affection and high regard with which they were held by the people of Israel, at least at some points in their lives. David here highlights their positive attributes from the people's perspective, emphasizing what was lost.

• and pleasant: וְנֶחְמָדִים (wenechmadim). Meaning "desirable," "charming," or "delightful." It adds to the notion of their admirable qualities, suggesting that they were a source of joy or desire for the people. This word elevates their appeal beyond mere loveliness to something genuinely appealing or cherished.

• in their lives: This phrase points to their existence and conduct during their time alive. It sets a chronological boundary, emphasizing that the traits of being "lovely and pleasant" were evident throughout their living years, contrasting with their unified death.

• and in their death: Signifies the transition to their ultimate end. It specifically refers to the circumstances of their demise, which was a shared fate on the battlefield of Mount Gilboa.

• they were not divided: לֹא נִפְרָדוּ (lo nifredhu), meaning "they were not separated." This is a profound statement emphasizing their unity. While they had complexities in life (e.g., Saul's pursuit of David, and Jonathan's loyalty to David alongside his filial duty), in death, they remained united. This likely refers to their dying together in the same battle, alongside each other, showing a collective destiny and enduring bond even in finality. It underscores the shared tragic outcome that binds them.

• they were swifter than eagles: נְשָׁרִים (nesharim). A simile highlighting their extraordinary speed and agility, especially in warfare. Eagles were known for their rapid flight and hunting prowess, serving as a powerful metaphor for their swiftness in attack or pursuit. It idealizes their martial capabilities.

• they were stronger than lions: אֲרָיוֹת (arayot). Another powerful simile emphasizing their immense physical strength, courage, and ferocity in battle. Lions symbolized raw power, fearlessness, and dominion in the ancient Near East. This illustrates their overwhelming might and bravery as warriors, facing down enemies without yielding.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "lovely and pleasant in their lives": This phrase functions as a eulogy for their character, presenting an idealized image of Saul and Jonathan as figures who garnered affection and admiration among the people during their lifetime. It reflects David's perspective, softening any negative memories of Saul in the context of mourning and national grief.
  • "in their death they were not divided": This is a powerful statement about their inseparable bond, a poignant aspect of David's lament. It highlights their shared fate in battle, overcoming any past earthly divisions or tensions through their common heroic demise. It suggests an enduring unity in spirit, solidified by their concurrent deaths.
  • "swifter than eagles, stronger than lions": This pairing of similes constitutes a poetic hyperbole, standard in ancient Near Eastern heroic poetry. It powerfully extols their legendary military might, portraying them as peerless warriors whose prowess in speed and strength was akin to nature's most formidable creatures. This tribute solidifies their image as mighty heroes.

2 Samuel 1 23 Bonus section

David's lament, containing 2 Samuel 1:23, functions as a form of sacred biography or "necroloquy" – a speech praising the dead – within ancient Israel. Such eulogies were not merely expressions of personal grief but served crucial social and theological roles, helping to interpret historical events and affirm divine providence. For the original audience, hearing their king mourn Saul, the divinely appointed first king, validated Saul's past legitimacy even in his downfall and set a standard for national respect for leadership. The elegy also contains subtle theological undertones, where David, despite the tragedy, looks towards a future divinely ordained reign that values unity and heroic virtues, paving the way for his own undisputed ascendancy to the throne of Israel, showcasing the deep theological principle of honoring God's chosen.

2 Samuel 1 23 Commentary

2 Samuel 1:23 stands as a beautiful and poignant tribute within David's elegy for Saul and Jonathan. Beyond the personal grief David expresses, the verse acts as a skillful piece of statesmanship, publicly honoring the fallen king and prince. By portraying them as "lovely and pleasant" in life, David magnifies their public appeal and acknowledges their past worth to the nation, subtly guiding public sentiment toward reconciliation after years of strife with Saul. The declaration that "in their death they were not divided" not only commemorates their shared fate but also highlights a sense of enduring unity, a crucial theme for a new king trying to consolidate power. The concluding metaphors of "swifter than eagles" and "stronger than lions" vividly praise their valor and effectiveness in warfare, reminding Israel of their prowess and reinforcing their heroic legacy. This lament exemplifies true magnanimity, where David chose to honor even his persecutor, thereby modeling the forgiveness and unifying leadership characteristic of God's chosen king.