2 Samuel 1:20

20 ¹Tell it not in Gath, ²publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, ³lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of ⁴the uncircumcised exult.

2 Samuel 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 1:20

Tell [it] not in Gath
One of the five principalities of the Philistines, and the chief of them, being raised to a kingdom, and whose king was at the head of the armies of the Philistines that engaged with Saul. This is not to be understood of a command of David, who could not hinder the victory the Philistines had got over Israel being known at Gath, and talked of with pleasure there, but a wish it had not:

publish [it] not in the streets of Ashkelon;
another of the principalities of the Philistines, and the sense the same as before:

lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of
the uncircumcised triumph;
it being usual in those times and countries for women, young women more especially, to express their joy, on occasion of victories obtained, by singing and dancing, ( Judges 11:34 ) ( 1 Samuel 18:6 1 Samuel 18:7 ) .

2 Samuel 1:20 In-Context

18 and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said:

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.

21 "You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

22 "From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Cross References

• 1. Micah 1:10
• 2. [1 Samuel 31:9; Amos 3:9]
• 3. [Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34]
• 4. See Judges 14:3