Thursday, April 08, 2004
2 Samuel 1 - David's Dirge
The poem in 2 Samuel 1:19-27 is our introduction to David's poetry. It is passionate, and constructed with the strength of parallelism and rich simile. I find it a moving poem; though it is not religious and I do not share David's feeling for war. But I do respond to the depth of love David reveals. This love was for his greatest enemy, the king, and his greatest friend, the king's son. Here is nobility and pathos.
Your glory, O Israel,
lies slain upon your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
.............................
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.
.........................
How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
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.
How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!
Your glory, O Israel,
lies slain upon your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
.............................
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.
.........................
How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
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.
How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!
