2 Samuel 1:26, commentary and pictures

David spoke these words in his song of mourning over Saul and Jonathan, grieving openly for Jonathan as a brother who had been a great delight to him and whose love was wonderful beyond ordinary human affection. Their friendship was bound by covenant under God, formed while David was fleeing for his life, and it endured unbroken until death because it was free from jealousy and self-interest, with Jonathan repeatedly setting aside his own claim to the throne to protect David at the risk of his own life. David's love in return was brotherly kindness rooted in the love of God, so deep that even the kingdom now open before him could not comfort his wounded heart. That selfless bond is a picture of Christ's love and His desire for friendship with every soul, seen again in the closeness of Jesus and John, and it shows that the tenderest love gives moral courage to work personally for others.

Lament and Covenant Friendship

The verse belongs to David's song of mourning, the Song of the Bow, spoken on receiving news of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, and it expresses his unfeigned grief. In it David is distressed for Jonathan, calls him his brother, and mourns him as a beloved brother, companion and unselfish friend. He says Jonathan had been very pleasant to him and a great delight, exceptionally dear and pleasing. He declares Jonathan's love to him was wonderful, faithful and selfless, extraordinary and especially precious, surpassing the love ordinarily shared between men and women and even beyond the love of women. That deep affection reflected a bond that endured, with Jonathan's love for David a notable part of their story.

Their friendship was formed when David was fleeing for his life, with deliverance arising from the unexpected source of Jonathan, the son of Saul whom David had most cause to fear. It was as strong on David's part as on Jonathan's and lasted until broken by death. Its secret was that the fear of the Lord was in it, with God called by both men to witness the covenant made between them. Jonathan is remembered as one of the sweetest characters in history, whose defining virtue was unselfish generosity. Though a potential rival for the throne and facing Saul's hostility, he set aside jealousy and self-interest, supported David and repeatedly protected him. With only his armor-bearer he was willing to risk what appeared to be certain death in a national crisis.

David's love for Jonathan was itself an example of brotherly kindness rooted in the love of God. Though their personal interests could have driven them apart, they were joined in a noble friendship free from selfishness, jealousy and envy. The prospects now before David could not comfort his wounded heart at Jonathan's death.

Picture and Christian Application

David's grief declares Jonathan's love extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. Their friendship was noble and selfless, not pursued for personal gain. It serves as an earthly picture of Christ's love for every person and His desire for friendship with each soul. That language of a love surpassing ordinary human affection is echoed in the close friendship between Jesus and John. John leaned on Jesus' breast, followed Him, and stood beneath the cross, and that friendship remained vivid to John in old age.

Jonathan stands as a beautiful example that a man's heart may be full of the tenderest love. That same heart may yet have sufficient moral courage to do personal work for others. The wider lament over the fallen mighty describes people who once sought God with zeal but have since grown cold. Having grown cold, they have turned to worldly pursuits.