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David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan,
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and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):
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"A gazelle 1 lies slain on your heights, Israel.
How the mighty have fallen!
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"Tell it not in Gath,
proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.
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"Mountains of Gilboa,
may you have neither dew nor rain,
may no showers fall on your terraced fields. 2
For there the shield of the mighty was despised,
the shield of Saul - no longer rubbed with oil.
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"From the blood of the slain,
from the flesh of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.
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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.
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"Daughters of Israel,
weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.
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"How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
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I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;
you were very dear to me.
Your love for me was wonderful,
more wonderful than that of women.
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"How the mighty have fallen!
The weapons of war have perished!"