2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
This verse belongs to David's lament or song honoring Saul and Jonathan after they fell in battle, forming part of the passage in 2 Samuel 1:17-27, which stands as an example of Hebrew poetry. It recalls their warlike deeds and virtues and praises Saul and Jonathan as great warriors for their speed and strength in battle. The swiftness likened to eagles and the strength likened to lions are figurative language for exceptional qualities, not to be taken literally.
The description of them as lovely and pleasant points to their better days together, when they were lovable and gracious. Their later conflict does not erase what their ordinary life had been like at its best, as glimpsed when David served Saul and when Jonathan defended David. That they were not divided means their lives and deaths were closely joined in a close bond, and that they fell together.
David sincerely mourned and grieved for both men even though Saul had been his mortal enemy and had long persecuted him. He showed no bitterness, gave Saul first place in praising valor and noble deeds, and brought their virtues to the forefront while setting aside Saul's imperfections. His grief for Jonathan was especially deep. His lament reflected his refusal to take revenge and his trust in God to bring deliverance. Jonathan stands in this account as an example of unselfish friendship.
The lament's theme of the mighty having fallen is echoed as a picture of people who were once devoted and joyful but have grown cold toward their faith. The description of a lovely and pleasant life united in death is applied to a husband and wife, Rachel Ann Sperry and her husband, who shared such a life and were united in death.