2 Samuel 1:27

27 How are the valiant 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 valiant fallen in battle? Jonathan slain in the high places?

26 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.

27 How are the valiant fallen, and the weapons of war perished?