ESV Reformation Study Bible – 2 Sam 1:17
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2 Sam 1:17

1:17 David lamented. The lament opens with an introduction presenting the refrain, “How the mighty have fallen!” The first section exhorts the people to mourn for Saul, and is marked by the references to “the daughters of the Philistines” (v. 20) and the “daughters of Israel” (v. 24). The second section (vv. 25, 26) expresses David’s personal mourning for Jonathan. The lament closes with a final repetition of the mournful refrain.