2 Samuel 1:27

27 "How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"

2 Samuel 1:27 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 1:27

How are the mighty fallen
This is the burden of this elegiac song, being the third time it is mentioned:

and the weapons of war perished!
not only the valiant soldiers were killed, but their arms were lost; and particularly he may mean Saul and Jonathan, who as they were the shields of the people, so they were the true weapons and instruments of war, and with them all military glory perished; which must be understood as a poetical figure, exaggerating their military characters; otherwise David, and many mighty men with him, remained, and who revived and increased the military glory of Israel, as the following history shows.

2 Samuel 1:27 In-Context

25 "How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! "Jonathan lies slain upon thy high places.

26 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.

27 "How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"