1 19 O prince of Israel, laid low in death!
How are the men of war fallen!
1 20 Tell it not in Gath,
proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the Philistine women rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
1 21 Hills of Gilboa, let no dew or rain fall on you,
no showers on the uplands showers on the uplands: prob. rdg, Heb fields of offerings!
For there the shields of the warriors lie tarnished,
and the shield of Saul, no longer bright with oil.
1 22 The bow of Jonathan never held back
from the breast of the foeman, from the blood of the slain;
the sword of Saul never returned
empty to the scabbard.
1 23 Delightful and dearly loved were Saul and Jonathan;
in life, in death, they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,
stronger than lions.
1 24 Weep for Saul, O daughters of Israel!
who clothed you in scarlet and rich embroideries,
who spangled your dress with jewels of gold.
1 25 How are the men of war fallen, fallen on the field!
O Jonathan, laid low in death!
1 26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;
dear and delightful you were to me;
your love for me was wonderful,
surpassing the love of women.
1 27 Fallen, fallen are the men of war;
and their armour left on the field.