Then David took up this lament
David's lamentation is a traditional expression of mourning, often seen in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Lamentations were poetic compositions used to express grief and sorrow. David's ability to lament for Saul, despite Saul's pursuit to kill him, demonstrates his respect for God's anointed king and his deep emotional capacity. This act reflects David's character as a man after God's own heart, showing forgiveness and honor even in the face of personal enmity.

for Saul
Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Despite his initial promise, Saul's reign was marked by disobedience to God, leading to his eventual downfall. David's lament for Saul highlights the complexity of their relationship. Saul was both a father-in-law and a relentless adversary to David. The lament underscores the tragedy of Saul's life and reign, acknowledging his role as the Lord's anointed and the first king of Israel, despite his failures.

and his son Jonathan
Jonathan, Saul's son, was a close friend and covenant brother to David. Their relationship is one of the most profound examples of friendship in the Bible, characterized by loyalty, love, and mutual respect. Jonathan's support for David, even against his father Saul's wishes, demonstrates his recognition of God's plan for David to be king. The lament for Jonathan is deeply personal for David, as it marks the loss of a beloved friend and ally. Jonathan's character is often seen as a type of Christ, exemplifying selflessness and sacrificial love.

1. David
The anointed king of Israel, known for his deep relationship with God and his poetic expressions, including psalms and laments.

2. Saul
The first king of Israel, whose reign ended tragically due to disobedience to God. Despite their tumultuous relationship, David respected Saul as God's anointed.

3. Jonathan
Saul's son and David's close friend, known for his loyalty and covenant friendship with David.

4. Lament
A traditional expression of grief or sorrow, often in poetic form, used in ancient Israel to mourn the dead.

5. Israel
The nation over which Saul reigned and David was anointed to lead, representing God's chosen people.The Importance of Lament
Lament is a biblical way to express grief and sorrow. It allows us to process loss and seek God's comfort.

Respect for Authority
David's lament for Saul, despite their conflicts, teaches us to respect those in authority as appointed by God.

Value of Friendship
The lament highlights the deep bond between David and Jonathan, reminding us of the importance of godly friendships.

Expressing Emotions to God
David's example shows that we can bring our deepest emotions to God, trusting Him with our pain.

Legacy and Remembrance
Reflecting on the lives of those who have passed can inspire us to live faithfully and honorably.(17) Lamented with this lamentation.--This is the technical expression for a funeral dirge or elegy, such as David also composed on the death of Abner (2Samuel 3:33-34), and Jeremiah on the death of Josiah (2Chronicles 35:25). It is the only instance preserved to us (except the few lines on the death of Abner) of David's secular poetry. "It is one of the finest odes of the Old Testament, full of lofty sentiment, and springing from deep and sanctified emotion, in which, without the slightest allusion to his own relation to the fallen king, David celebrates without envy the bravery and virtues of Saul and his son Jonathan, and bitterly laments their loss." (Keil.)

Verse 17. - David lamented with this lamentation. The Hebrew word for "lamentation" is kinah, a technical term for an elegy or poem commemorative of the dead. Thus Jeremiah wrote a kinah in memory of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:25); and there is little doubt that the "lamentations" there spoken of were a collection of dirges, in which probably this ode written by David held an honoured place. In 2 Samuel 3:33, 34 we have a short kinah in Abner's honour, which possibly formed part of a longer poem, of which those two verses only are quoted as sufficing to prove, not only David's innocence, but also his indignation at Joab's foul deed. In both these places we have remains of David's secular poetry, and find it marked by the same strong emotion and the same sublimity of thought as distinguish his psalms. We observe also the nobleness of David's nature in his total silence concerning himself, and his generous eulogy, not of Jonathan only, but also of Saul. The mean envy and the implacable jealousy of the latter are no more remembered, and he sees in him, not the personal foe, but the brave king who has fallen in his country's cause.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

took up
וַיְקֹנֵ֣ן (way·qō·nên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6969: To strike a, musical note, chant, wail

this
הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

lament
הַקִּינָ֖ה (haq·qî·nāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7015: An elegy, dirge

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Saul
שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

and his son
בְּנֽוֹ׃ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Jonathan,
יְהוֹנָתָ֥ן (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites


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OT History: 2 Samuel 1:17 David lamented with this lamentation over Saul (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)