lament for a friend

David’s lament for his friend Jonathan stands as one of the most touching expressions of grief for a friend in all of ancient literature. Read these selected verses from 2 Samuel 1 to feel the intense sorrow of one friend for another.

19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!

20 Tell it not in Gath,
publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult…

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…

25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! “Jonathan lies slain on your high places.

26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.

27 “How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”