​Lamentation. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

2 Samuel 1:19-26Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!
   How the mighty have fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath,
   proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon;
or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
   the daughters of the uncircumcised will exult.

21 You mountains of Gilboa,
   let there be no dew or rain upon you,
   nor bounteous fields!*
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
   the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no more.

22 From the blood of the slain,
   from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
   nor the sword of Saul return empty.

23 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.

24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
   who clothed you with crimson, in luxury,
   who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

25 How the mighty have fallen
   in the midst of the battle!

Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
26   I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
greatly beloved were you to me;
   your love to me was wonderful,
   passing the love of women.'
Reflection. Saul has fallen in battle, killed by an Amelakite whom David has put to death. David, the great psalm writer 'intoned this lament' and called it the 'Song of the Bow' (verses 17&18).
David mourned the death of the King and the death of his great friend, Jonathan.  You can feel the love and the grief. It is a beautiful poem. Listen again to some phrases:
'You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew upon you'
'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.
 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
   who clothed you with crimson, in luxury,
   who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.'

Be aware that this lamenation is written about a king who tried hard to kill David. And still David pours out his loving heart in praise of the King. That ought to touch us and give us pause (Matthew 5:44 is worth looking up!).  

And friends, I will avoid commentary upon the final verse in the chosen text, other than to say that David is grieving the loss of his greatest friend.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, we pray that we will have those around us whom we love deeply and who love us, such that we would grieve their loss. Give us, we pray, deep friendships sustained by your love. In your name. Amen.