2 Samuel 1:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:20

Joy amongst the enemies of the Church. "Tell it not in Gath," etc. A poetical deprecation; for already had it been told among the Philistines, and triumphed over; and yet would be. The language expresses David's sorrow at the joy of the Philistines, and its cause. The words have often been used to express the concern of good men when Christians give occasion to the enemies of Christ's kingdom to rejoice. I. THE OCCASIONS OF SUCH JOY . 1 . In general, the misfortunes of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:21

Fields of offerings; Hebrew, fields of terumoth. The terumoth were heave offerings (Le 2 Samuel 7:14 , 32), and the Vulgate, regarding these as thank offerings, translates, "Fields of firstfruits." The sense would thus be, "Fields of corn such as was used for heave offerings." Still, this gives us no suitable meaning; for Gilboa was not a place fit for the growth of corn; and Theodoret, in his version, has preserved a different reading, which is probably right, namely, "Ye fields and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 1:19

The beauty ... - i. e. Saul and Jonathan who were the chief ornament and pride of Israel, and slain upon “high places” 2 Samuel 1:25, namely, on Mount Gilboa. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 1:20

Gath, the royal city of Achish 1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Samuel 27:2. Askelon, the chief seat of worship (1 Samuel 31:10 note). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 1:21

Let there be no dew ... - For a similar passionate form of poetical malediction, compare Job 3:3-10; Jeremiah 20:14-18.Nor fields of offerings - He imprecates such complete barrenness on the soil of Gilboa, that not even enough may grow for an offering of first-fruits. The latter part of the verse is better rendered thus: For there the shield of the mighty was polluted, the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil, but with blood). Shields were usually anointed with oil in preparation for the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 1:19

2 Samuel 1:19. The beauty of Israel Hebrew, הצבי , hatsebi; the honour, glory, flower, or ornament, meaning Saul and Jonathan, and their army. Delaney understands the expression only of Jonathan, and observes, as Jonathan’s death touched him nearest, it was natural he should be the first object of his lamentation; and, to put it out of all doubt that Jonathan is meant, he varies the expression in a subsequent verse Jonathan slain in thy high places! The word rendered slain, חלל , ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 1:20

2 Samuel 1:20. Tell it not in Gath, &c. Such a lamentable misfortune and disgrace, David would, if possible, have concealed from all the enemies of Israel. And he finely insinuates in these words what matter of triumph it would be to the Philistines, and seems scarce able to bear the thought of it, especially as it would be greatly to the dishonour both of God and his people. Lest the daughters, &c. He mentions these, because it was the custom of women in those times and places to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 1:21

2 Samuel 1:21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, &c. This is not an imprecation, but a passionate expression of the sorrow and horror which he felt at this public disgrace and loss, which were such as if he thought every person or thing which contributed to it ought to bear tokens of the divine displeasure, such as the earth does when it is deprived of the influence of dew and rain. Nor fields of offerings That is, fertile fields, which may produce fair and goodly fruits... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 1:1-27

1:1-4:12 CIVIL WAR AFTER SAUL’S DEATHMourning for Saul and Jonathan (1:1-27)David learnt of Saul’s death from one of Saul’s own men, an Amalekite who had become a citizen of Israel (1:1-4; see v. 13). The man clearly thought that by adding a few details to the story and by bringing Saul’s crown to David, he could win David’s favour (5-10; cf. 4:10).As long as Saul lived, David had regarded him as the Lord’s anointed king and had consistently refused to harm him (cf. 1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 1:19

beauty = gazelle. Symbolic of beauty and grace. read more

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