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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 1:26 I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/1-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/10_2Sa_01_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 1:26 - David's Song for Saul and Jonathan" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/1-26.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/1-26.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 26</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/1-25.htm" title="2 Samuel 1:25">◄</a> 2 Samuel 1:26 <a href="/2_samuel/1-27.htm" title="2 Samuel 1:27">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan! Oh, how much I loved you! And your love for me was deep, deeper than the love of women!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been a close friend to me. Your love for me was more wonderful Than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been a good friend to me. Your love toward me was more wonderful Than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were such a friend to me. Your love for me was more wondrous than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were such a friend to me. Your love for me was more wonderful than the love of women. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Thy love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jonathan, I miss you most! I loved you like a brother. You were truly loyal to me, more faithful than a wife to her husband. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I am heartbroken over you, my brother Jonathan. You were my great delight. Your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan; how dear you were to me! How wonderful was your love for me, better even than the love of women. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I am in distress for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been most kind to me. Your love for me was extraordinary — beyond love from women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I grieve for you, my brother. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love for me was a wonder, more than the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been to me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I am in distress for you, my brother Jonathan, "" You were very pleasant to me; Your love was wonderful to me, "" Above the love of women!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I am in distress for thee, my brother Jonathan, Very pleasant wast thou to me; Wonderful was thy love to me, Above the love of women!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Distress to me for thee, my brother Jonathan: thou wert sweet to me exceedingly: thy love to me was wonderful above the love of women.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I grieve for thee, my brother Jonathan: exceeding beautiful, and amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only son, so did I love thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan: exceedingly stately, and worthy to be loved above the love of women. As a mother loves her only son, so also did I love you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! Most dear have you been to me; More wondrous your love to me than the love of women. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you were very dear to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I have been grieving myself for you my brother Jonathan! You have been beloved to me! Very precious was your love to me, more than the love of women!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; Very pleasant hast thou been unto me; Wonderful was thy love to me, Passing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I am grieved for thee, my brother Jonathan; thou wast very lovely to me; thy love to me was wonderful beyond the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/1-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=239" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/1.htm">David's Song for Saul and Jonathan</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6887.htm" title="6887: ṣar- (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">I grieve</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">for you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3083.htm" title="3083: yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān (N-proper-ms) -- From Yhovah and nathan; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites.">Jonathan,</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">my brother.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5276.htm" title="5276: nā·‘am·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To be pleasant, delightful, or lovely. A primitive root; to be agreeable.">You were delightful</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/160.htm" title="160: ’a·hă·ḇā·ṯə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Love (noun). Feminine of 'ahab and meaning the same.">your love</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to me</a> <a href="/hebrew/6381.htm" title="6381: nip̄·lə·’a·ṯāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. Distinguish; by implication, to be great, difficult, wonderful.">was extraordinary,</a> <a href="/hebrew/160.htm" title="160: mê·’a·hă·ḇaṯ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Love (noun). Feminine of 'ahab and meaning the same.">surpassing the love</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šîm (N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">of women.</a> </span><span class="reftext">27</span>How the mighty have fallen and the weapons of war have perished!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">1 Samuel 18:1-3</a></span><br />After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm">1 Samuel 20:17</a></span><br />And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-24.htm">Proverbs 18:24</a></span><br />A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a></span><br />Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-1.htm">1 Samuel 19:1</a></span><br />Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm">1 Samuel 23:16-18</a></span><br />And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-35.htm">John 11:35-36</a></span><br />Jesus wept. / Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-41.htm">1 Samuel 20:41-42</a></span><br />When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more. / And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-30.htm">1 Samuel 20:30-34</a></span><br />Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? / For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” / “Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-1.htm">1 Samuel 20:1-3</a></span><br />Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? How have I sinned against your father, that he wants to take my life?” / “Far from it!” Jonathan replied. “You will not die. Indeed, my father does nothing, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This cannot be true!” / But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-4.htm">1 Samuel 20:4-9</a></span><br />Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you desire, I will do for you.” / So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I am supposed to dine with the king. Instead, let me go and hide in the field until the third evening from now. / If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-12.htm">1 Samuel 20:12-15</a></span><br />and Jonathan said, “By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you? / But if my father intends to bring evil on you, then may the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if I do not tell you and send you on your way in safety. May the LORD be with you, just as He has been with my father. / And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-23.htm">1 Samuel 20:23</a></span><br />And as for the matter you and I have discussed, the LORD is a witness between you and me forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-35.htm">1 Samuel 20:35-40</a></span><br />In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for the appointment with David, and a small boy was with him. / He said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” And as the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. / When the boy reached the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called to him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-24.htm">1 Samuel 20:24-29</a></span><br />So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat. / He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty. / Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant have you been to me: your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.</p><p class="hdg">thy love</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">1 Samuel 18:1-4</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/19-2.htm">1 Samuel 19:2</a></b></br> But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret <i>place</i>, and hide thyself:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm">1 Samuel 20:17,41</a></b></br> And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-20.htm">Full</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-17.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-33.htm">Grieve</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-25.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-2.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-23.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-25.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-2.htm">Women</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-5.htm">Women's</a> <a href="/judges/13-18.htm">Wonder</a> <a href="/judges/13-18.htm">Wonderful</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/13-21.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-9.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-2.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-17.htm">Full</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm">Grieve</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-2.htm">Love</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-18.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-6.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-2.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-13.htm">Women</a> <a href="/esther/2-3.htm">Women's</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-8.htm">Wonder</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-9.htm">Wonderful</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/1-1.htm">The Amalekite who accused himself of Saul's death is slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/1-17.htm">David laments Saul and Jonathan with a song</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was not only a close friend to David but also a covenant brother (<a href="/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3</a>). Their relationship was marked by loyalty and mutual respect, transcending the political tensions between David and Saul. The term "brother" signifies a bond that goes beyond friendship, indicating a spiritual kinship. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, mourning for a fallen comrade was a profound expression of loss, often accompanied by public lamentation and personal reflection (<a href="/2_samuel/1-17.htm">2 Samuel 1:17-27</a>).<p><b>You were delightful to me;</b><br>Jonathan's character and actions brought joy and comfort to David. The Hebrew word used here conveys a sense of pleasure and delight, highlighting the positive impact Jonathan had on David's life. Jonathan's support and encouragement were crucial during David's years of fleeing from Saul. This phrase underscores the depth of their friendship, which was rooted in shared values and mutual support (<a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm">1 Samuel 23:16-18</a>).<p><b>your love to me was extraordinary,</b><br>The love between David and Jonathan is described as "extraordinary," indicating a unique and profound connection. This love was based on a covenantal relationship, characterized by loyalty, sacrifice, and selflessness. Jonathan's willingness to protect David, even at the cost of his own future as heir to the throne, exemplifies this extraordinary love (<a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm">1 Samuel 20:17</a>). Their relationship serves as a model of true friendship and commitment.<p><b>surpassing the love of women.</b><br>This phrase highlights the depth and intensity of David and Jonathan's bond, which David found to be greater than romantic or marital love. In the cultural context, marriage was often arranged for political or familial alliances, whereas the friendship between David and Jonathan was based on genuine affection and shared faith. This comparison is not meant to diminish the value of marital love but to emphasize the unique and profound nature of their friendship. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of the selfless love Christ has for His followers, which surpasses all human understanding (<a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The future king of Israel, anointed by God, who deeply mourns the loss of his friend Jonathan.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jonathan.htm">Jonathan</a></b><br>The son of King Saul, known for his deep friendship and covenant with David, and his loyalty to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel and father of Jonathan, who dies in battle, leading to David's lament.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation over which Saul reigned and David would eventually become king.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_gilboa.htm">Mount Gilboa</a></b><br>The location where Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_godly_friendships.htm">The Value of Godly Friendships</a></b><br>Godly friendships, like that of David and Jonathan, are characterized by loyalty, love, and mutual respect. Such relationships are a gift from God and should be cherished and nurtured.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_depth_of_covenant_relationships.htm">The Depth of Covenant Relationships</a></b><br>The covenant between David and Jonathan was a solemn commitment that transcended personal gain and ambition. In our relationships, we should strive for commitments that honor God and reflect His faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/grieving_with_hope.htm">Grieving with Hope</a></b><br>David's lament for Jonathan shows that grief is a natural and healthy response to loss. As Christians, we grieve with hope, knowing that God is our comforter and that He has conquered death through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_love.htm">The Nature of True Love</a></b><br>The love between David and Jonathan was selfless and pure, surpassing even romantic love. True love seeks the best for others and is rooted in God's love for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_legacy.htm">The Impact of Legacy</a></b><br>Jonathan's legacy was one of faithfulness and love, impacting David's life profoundly. Our actions and relationships leave a legacy that can influence others for generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_critics_explain_david's_lament.htm">2 Samuel 1:26: How do critics reconcile David’s intense lament for Jonathan with cultural norms of warfare and rivalry at the time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_key_events_in_2_samuel.htm">What are the key events in 2 Samuel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_elhanan_kill_goliath's_brother.htm">1 Chronicles 20:5: Why does this text say Elhanan killed Goliath's brother, whereas 2 Samuel 21:19 seems to conflict about who killed Goliath?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_high_priest_when_david_ate_bread.htm">Who was high priest when David went into the House of GOD and ate the consecrated bread? Abiathar (Mark 2:26) Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar (I Samuel 1:1; 22:20)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) <span class= "bld">Passing the love of women.</span>--By this strong expression, comparing Jonathan's love for David to that of the faithful wife for her husband, David shows his appreciation of that wonderful affection which had existed between Jonathan and himself under the most untoward circumstances. It was such an affection as could only exist between noble natures and those united in the fear of God. In these last verses of the elegy which relate to Jonathan alone, David has given expression to his own personal sorrow.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thy love to me was wonderful.</span> Never was there a purer friendship than that of Jonathan for David. It began just after the combat with Goliath, when the young prince, instead of seeing in David a rival, who had equalled his own feat of valour, took him to his heart, put upon him his own robe and armour, and thus presented him to the army as his friend and brother. Nor did his father's hatred of David, nor the knowledge that David was to inherit the kingdom, interfere with his love. He remained a dutiful son to his father, and accepted his inferior position with magnanimity, without once seeing in David cause for blame; and it surpassed the love of women, because, to requite their devotion, they look for protection and homage, the more delightful because it is paid by the strong to the weak. But here the lives of the two friends could not combine in one happy fusion of mutual union. Their hearts were bound together, but a hard fate, of which they were fully aware, made the ruin of the one the certain result of the happiness of the other. Nevertheless, Jonathan, with everything to lose, and David with everything to gain, remained true and loyal friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/1-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I grieve</span><br /><span class="heb">צַר־</span> <span class="translit">(ṣar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6887.htm">Strong's 6887: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for you,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֶ֗יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jonathan,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3083.htm">Strong's 3083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my brother.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You were delightful</span><br /><span class="heb">נָעַ֥מְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·‘am·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5276.htm">Strong's 5276: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be pleasant, delightful, or lovely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me;</span><br /><span class="heb">לִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">your love</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲבָֽתְךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·ḇā·ṯə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_160.htm">Strong's 160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Love (noun)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">was extraordinary,</span><br /><span class="heb">נִפְלְאַ֤תָה</span> <span class="translit">(nip̄·lə·’a·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6381.htm">Strong's 6381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate, distinguish, to be, great, difficult, wonderful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surpassing the love</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַהֲבַ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·hă·ḇaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_160.htm">Strong's 160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Love (noun)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of women.</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשִֽׁים׃</span> <span class="translit">(nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/1-26.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 1:26 I am distressed for you my brother (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/1-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 1:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 1:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/1-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 1:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 1:27" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>