第68章 大卫在洗革拉
§1
第68章 大卫在洗革拉
§2
Chap. 68 - David at Ziklag
§3
大卫和跟随他的人虽然已经与非利士人一同上了战场，可是结果他们并没有参加扫罗与非利士人之间的战争。当这两军预备交锋之际，耶西的儿子正处于进退维谷的景况中。这一次人都预期着大卫会为非利士人作战。如果他在所派的岗位上临阵脱逃，就必蒙了懦夫的污名，并对那保护而且信任他的亚吉，难免有忘恩和背信的罪嫌。这样的举动必要使他蒙了丑名，并且要招惹到比扫罗更为可怕的仇敌的忿怒。同时，他一点也不能同意去与以色列人作战。如果他这样行，他必成了他本国的叛徒，上帝和他子民的仇敌。这就要永远阻碍他登上以色列的王位；而且如果扫罗在这次战役中阵亡，则他的死，人就必归罪于大卫了。[1]{PP 690.1}
§4
David and his men had not taken part in the battle between Saul and the Philistines, though they had marched with the Philistines to the field of conflict. As the two armies prepared to join battle the son of Jesse found himself in a situation of great perplexity. It was expected that he would fight for the Philistines. Should he in the engagement quit the post assigned him and retire from the field, he would not only brand himself with cowardice, but with ingratitude and treachery to Achish, who had protected him and confided in him. Such an act would cover his name with infamy, and would expose him to the wrath of enemies more to be feared than Saul. Yet he could not for a moment consent to fight against Israel. Should he do this, he would become a traitor to his country--the enemy of God and of His people. It would forever bar his way to the throne of Israel; and should Saul be slain in the engagement, his death would be charged upon David.{PP 690.1}[1]
§5
这时，大卫已经觉得自己作错了。他躲藏在上帝所造之群山的坚固堡垒间，总比投降于耶和华和他百姓公认的仇敌好得多。但是耶和华凭着他的大怜悯，没有刑罚他仆人的错误，也没有任他留在困恼窘迫之中；因为大卫虽然暂时失去依靠上帝能力的心，并曾畏缩彷徨，偏离了严格正直的道路，不过他心中的意思是要效忠于上帝的。正当撒但及其使者忙于帮助与上帝和以色列人为敌的设计攻击上帝所弃绝的王时，耶和华的天使也在准备着拯救大卫脱离他所陷入的危险。天上的使者感动了非利士诸首领的心，使他们反对大卫和他的军队在当前的战争中与他们的军队一同作战。[2]{PP 690.2}
§6
David was caused to feel that he had missed his path. Far better would it have been for him to find refuge in Gods strong fortresses of the mountains than with the avowed enemies of Jehovah and His people. But the Lord in His great mercy did not punish this error of His servant by leaving him to himself in his distress and perplexity; for though David, losing his grasp on divine power, had faltered and turned aside from the path of strict integrity, it was still the purpose of his heart to be true to God. While Satan and his host were busy helping the adversaries of God and of Israel to plan against a king who had forsaken God, the angels of the Lord were working to deliver David from the peril into which he had fallen. Heavenly messengers moved upon the Philistine princes to protest against the presence of David and his force with the army in the approaching conflict. {PP 690.2}[2]
§7
非利士的首领问亚吉说：“这些希伯来人在这里作什么呢？”（见撒上29:30）亚吉不愿意舍去这么重要的盟友，就回答说：“这不是以色列王扫罗的臣子大卫吗？他在我这里有些年日了；自从他投降我，直到今日，我未曾见他有过错。”[3]{PP 691.1}
§8
What do these Hebrews here? cried the Philistine lords, pressing about Achish. The latter, unwilling to part with so important an ally, answered, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?{PP 691.1}[3]
§9
但首领们坚持他们的要求，就发怒说：“你要叫这人回你所安置他的地方，不可叫他同我们出战，恐怕他在阵上反为我们的敌人；他用什么与他主人复和呢？岂不是用我们这些人的首级吗？从前以色列的妇女跳舞唱和，说：扫罗杀死千千，大卫杀死万万；所说的不是这个大卫吗？”从前大卫如何杀死他们著名的战士，以及以色列人那一次的胜利，非利士的首领记忆犹新。他们不相信大卫会与他们自己的同胞作战，万一他在战事方酣之时倒戈相向，则他所能给予非利士人的伤害，要比扫罗的全军还厉害呢。[4]{PP 691.2}
§10
But the princes angrily persisted in their demand: Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men? Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands? The slaughter of their famed champion and the triumph of Israel upon that occasion were still fresh in the memory of the Philistine lords. They did not believe that David would fight against his own people; and should he, in the heat of battle, take sides with them, he could inflict greater harm on the Philistines than would the whole of Sauls army.{PP 691.2}[4]
§11
这样，亚吉迫不得已，依从了他们的话，于是把大卫叫来，对他说：“我指着永生的耶和华起誓，你是正直人，你随我在军中出入我看你甚好；自从你投奔我到如今，我未曾见你有什么过失；只是众首领不喜悦你。现在你可以平平安安的回去，免得非利士人的首领不欢喜你。”[5]{PP 691.3}
§12
Thus Achish was forced to yield, and calling David, said unto him, Surely as Jehovah liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day. Nevertheless the lords favor thee not. Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.{PP 691.3}[5]
§13
大卫怕露出真情，就回答说：“我作了什么呢？自从仆人到你面前，直到今日，你查出我有什么过错，使我不去攻击主我王的仇敌呢？”[6]{PP 691.4}
§14
David, fearing to betray his real feelings, answered, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?{PP 691.4}[6]
§15
亚吉的回答，必然使大卫心中起羞愧和悔恨的感觉，他想起自己贬低人格，采用欺骗的手段，怎样还配作耶和华的仆人？王对他说：我“知道你在我眼前是好人，如同上帝的使者一般；只是非利士的首领说，这人不可同我们出战。故此你和跟随你的人，就是你本主的仆人，要明日早晨起来，等到天亮回去吧。”大卫所陷入的网罗就此打破，他得到自由了。[7]{PP 691.5}
§16
The reply of Achish must have sent a thrill of shame and remorse through Davids heart, as he thought how unworthy of a servant of Jehovah were the deceptions to which he had stooped. I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God, said the king: notwithstanding, the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle. Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy masters servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart. Thus the snare in which David had become entangled was broken, and he was set free. {PP 691.5}[7]
§17
大卫和跟随他的六百人走了三天的路程到了洗革拉，就是他们在非利士地住家的地方。但他们所看到的乃是一片荒凉的景象。亚玛力人趁大卫和他的军队不在家的机会，就来报复他从前侵入他们领域的仇。他们看到该城毫无戒备，就长驱直入，洗劫焚烧，并掳掠了妇人孩子和许多财物而去。[8]{PP 692.1}
§18
After three days travel David and his band of six hundred men reached Ziklag, their Philistine home. But a scene of desolation met their view. The Amalekites, taking advantage of Davids absence, with his force, had avenged themselves for his incursions into their territory. They had surprised the city while it was left unguarded, and having sacked and burned it, had departed, taking all the women and children as captives, with much spoil.{PP 692.1}[8]
§19
大卫和跟随他的人一时看到这残破的家园，余烬未熄的废墟，不由得大吃一惊，愕然说不出话来。当他们感觉到自己可怕的荒凉处境时，于是这些身经百战的勇士竟“放声大哭，直哭得没有气力。”[9]{PP 692.2}
§20
Dumb with horror and amazement, David and his men for a little time gazed in silence upon the blackened and smoldering ruins. Then as a sense of their terrible desolation burst upon them, those battle-scarred warriors lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.{PP 692.2}[9]
§21
在这里，大卫因过去缺少信心而置身于非利士人中间的错误，又受了一次惩戒。从此他可以看出自己在上帝和他子民的仇敌中间，究竟可得多少保障。这时跟随大卫的人都反怪大卫使他们遭祸。因他曾攻击亚玛力人，惹他们来报复；同时，他住在敌人中间太过于大意，自信安全，以致没有派人防守自己的城。他的兵士悲愤如狂，即采取任何手段亦在所不计，他们竟威吓着要用石头打死他们的领袖。[10]{PP 692.3}
§22
Here again David was chastened for the lack of faith that had led him to place himself among the Philistines. He had opportunity to see how much safety could be found among the foes of God and His people. Davids followers turned upon him as the cause of their calamities. He had provoked the vengeance of the Amalekites by his attack upon them; yet, too confident of security in the midst of his enemies, he had left the city unguarded. Maddened with grief and rage, his soldiers were now ready for any desperate measures, and they threatened even to stone their leader.{PP 692.3}[10]
§23
大卫这时似乎没有什么人来支持他了。他在地上认为可贵的一切都随风而去；扫罗已经驱逐他离开祖国；非利士人才赶他离开军营；亚玛力人抢掠了他的城池；他的妻子和儿女已经被掳为奴；而且他自己的密友都联合攻击他，甚至以死亡威吓他。在此绝境之中，大卫没有单注意这些痛苦的情况，却恳切地仰望上帝的帮助。他“依靠耶和华，……心里坚固。”他回顾自己过去多事的人生，耶和华何曾丢弃过他？他既想起上帝眷爱的许多凭据，心中就振奋起来了。跟随大卫的人，因为不满和急躁的心情，就使自己的苦难加倍难堪；但这个属于上帝的人，虽然更有悲伤的理由，却仍能壮胆。他心中的话就是：“我惧怕的时候要依靠你。”（诗56:3）他自己虽然看不出一条脱离困难的出路，但上帝是看得清楚的，他必指示他应当作什么。[11]{PP 692.4}
§24
David seemed to be cut off from every human support. All that he held dear on earth had been swept from him. Saul had driven him from his country; the Philistines had driven him from the camp; the Amalekites had plundered his city; his wives and children had been made prisoners; and his own familiar friends had banded against him, and threatened him even with death. In this hour of utmost extremity David, instead of permitting his mind to dwell upon these painful circumstances, looked earnestly to God for help. He encouraged himself in the Lord. He reviewed his past eventful life. Wherein had the Lord ever forsaken him? His soul was refreshed in recalling the many evidences of Gods favor. The followers of David, by their discontent and impatience, made their affliction doubly grievous; but the man of God, having even greater cause for grief, bore himself with fortitude. What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee (Psalm 56:3), was the language of his heart. Though he himself could not discern a way out of the difficulty, God could see it, and would teach him what to do.{PP 692.4}[11]
§25
大卫差人去请亚希米勒的儿子祭司亚比亚他来。“大卫求问耶和华说：我追赶敌军，追得上，追不上呢？”耶和华回答说：“你可以追，必追得上，都救得回来。”（撒上30:8）[12]{PP 693.1}
§26
Sending for Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, David inquired of the Lord, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? The answer was, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and shalt without fail recover all. 1 Samuel 30:8, R.V.{PP 693.1}[12]
§27
大家听了这话，忧伤和忿怒的骚动就止息了。大卫和他的兵士立刻出发，追赶逃跑的敌人。他们行军非常迅速，及至他们到了迦萨附近的流入地中海的比梭溪时，竟有二百人因筋疲力尽不得不留在那里。但大卫和其余的四百人往前追赶，再接再厉，不顾其他。[13]{PP 693.2}
§28
At these words the tumult of grief and passion ceased. David and his soldiers at once set out in pursuit of their fleeing foe. So rapid was their march, that upon reaching the brook Besor, which empties near Gaza into the Mediterranean Sea, two hundred of the band were compelled by exhaustion to remain behind. But David with the remaining four hundred pressed forward, nothing daunted.{PP 693.2}[13]
§29
他们前进的时候，在路上遇到一个埃及奴仆，这人显然是过于疲乏饥饿，快要死了。但他进了饮食之后就复苏过来了。经过询问，他们才知他原是侵略军亚玛力人的奴仆，因患病而被他残忍的主人撇在路旁，任他死去。他述说他们侵袭掳掠的经过；于是在得到他们应许不杀他，也不将他交还他主人之后，他就同意带领大卫的一队人到亚玛力人的营去。[14]{PP 693.3}
§30
Advancing, they came upon an Egyptian slave apparently about to perish from weariness and hunger. Upon receiving food and drink, however, he revived, and they learned that he had been left to die by his cruel master, an Amalekite belonging to the invading force. He told the story of the raid and pillage; and then, having exacted a promise that he should not be slain or delivered to his master, he consented to lead Davids company to the camp of their enemies.{PP 693.3}[14]
§31
他们一到了敌营那里，就看到一片狂欢的景象，原来那些得胜的军队正在大事庆祝呢。“他们散在地上，吃喝跳舞；因为从非利士地和犹大地所掳来的财物甚多。”大卫下令立时进攻；于是追赶的人们猛然向敌人冲去。亚玛力人张皇失措，溃乱窜逃。战争继续了一夜，和次日一日，亚玛力人几乎全军覆没，只有四百个骑骆驼的人得以逃脱。耶和华的话就都应验了。“亚玛力人所掳去的财物，大卫全部夺回；并救回他的两个妻来。凡亚玛力人所掳去的，无论大小、儿女、财物，大卫都夺回来，没有失落一个。”[15]{PP 693.4}
§32
As they came in sight of the encampment a scene of revelry met their gaze. The victorious host were holding high festival. They were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah. An immediate attack was ordered, and the pursuers rushed fiercely upon their prey. The Amalekites were surprised and thrown into confusion. The battle was continued all that night and the following day, until nearly the entire host was slain. Only a band of four hundred men, mounted upon camels, succeeded in making their escape. The word of the Lord was fulfilled. David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them: David recovered all.{PP 693.4}[15]
§33
从前大卫攻入亚玛力人之地时，他曾用刀杀尽一切的居民。这次是由于上帝限制人的能力，所以亚玛力人没有杀灭洗革拉的居民来报仇雪恨。他们决定要饶了那些俘虏的性命，以便凯旋的时候，可以带着大批俘虏回来，增高胜利的光荣，以后再把他们出卖为奴。这样他们在无意之中反成全了上帝的旨意，使那些俘虏得以无灾无恙地重回到他们丈夫和父亲的怀抱里。[16]{PP 693.5}
§34
When David had invaded the territory of the Amalekites, he had put to the sword all the inhabitants that fell into his hands. But for the restraining power of God the Amalekites would have retaliated by destroying the people of Ziklag. They decided to spare the captives, desiring to heighten the honor of the triumph by leading home a large number of prisoners, and intending afterward to sell them as slaves. Thus, unwittingly, they fulfilled Gods purpose, keeping the prisoners unharmed, to be restored to their husbands and fathers.{PP 693.5}[16]
§35
地上一切的权势都在那无穷之主的控制下。对于最有能力的君王和最残酷的压迫者，他说：“你只可到这里，不可越过。”（伯38:11）上帝经常施行他的权能，来挫败恶人的作为；他一直在人间工作，不是要毁灭他们，乃是要管教并保全他们。[17]{PP 694.1}
§36
All earthly powers are under the control of the Infinite One. To the mightiest ruler, to the most cruel oppressor, He says, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further. Job 38:11. Gods power is constantly exercised to counteract the agencies of evil; He is ever at work among men, not for their destruction, but for their correction and preservation.{PP 694.1}[17]
§37
胜利者兴高采烈地起程回家了。当他们来到落在后面的二百人那里时，四百人之中有些较为自私刁悍的人竭力主张，凡没有参加作战的人不得分取夺来之物；他们各得回自己的妻子儿女就够了。可是大卫不准这样行。他说：“耶和华所赐给我的，不可不分给他们，……上阵的得多少，看守器具的也得多少；应当大家平分。”于是事情就决定了，并且定为以色列人的律例，就是凡与战役有份的人，都得与实际参加作战的人均分掠物。[18]{PP 694.2}
§38
With great rejoicing the victors took up their homeward march. Upon reaching their companions who had remained behind, the more selfish and unruly of the four hundred urged that those who had had no part in the battle should not share the spoils; that it was enough for them to recover each his wife and children. But David would permit no such arrangement. Ye shall not do so, my brethren, he said, with that which the Lord hath given us. . . . As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff; they shall part alike. Thus the matter was settled, and it afterward became a statute in Israel that all who were honorably connected with a military campaign should share the spoils equally with those who engaged in actual combat.{PP 694.2}[18]
§39
大卫和他的队伍除了夺回亚玛力人自洗革拉劫掠去的财物之外，还夺取了许多属于亚玛力人的牛群羊群。他们称之为“大卫的掠物；”他一回到洗革拉，就从掠物中选一些出来，送给本支派犹大的长老们。这一次分送礼物的时候，他特别记念那些在他和跟随的人被迫东奔西跑，在山寨中逃生之时善待他们的人。这些人对于逃亡者所表现的仁爱和同情，大卫就在这次的馈赠上予以答谢了。[19]{PP 694.3}
§40
Besides recovering all the spoil that had been taken from Ziklag, David and his band had captured extensive flocks and herds belonging to the Amalekites. These were called Davids spoil; and upon returning to Ziklag, he sent from this spoil presents to the elders of his own tribe of Judah. In this distribution all those were remembered who had befriended him and his followers in the mountain fastnesses, when he had been forced to flee from place to place for his life. Their kindness and sympathy, so precious to the hunted fugitive, were thus gratefully acknowledged.{PP 694.3}[19]
§41
在大卫和他的战士回到洗革拉的第三天，他们一面下手恢复他们破坏了的家园，一面以焦急的心情等待以色列人与非利士人战争的消息。忽然有一个带信的人，“衣服撕裂，头蒙灰尘，”（见撒下1:2-16）走进城里来。有人立刻带他到大卫面前，他就俯伏叩拜大卫，表示承认他为一位有权势的王储，并愿得他的恩宠。大卫急切地询问战事的经过。这个逃亡者报告了扫罗的败绩和阵亡。以及约拿单的死。可是他还言过其实地捏造谎言。他以为大卫必是对那曾残酷地逼害他的人怀恨在心，所以这个陌生人妄想说自己就是杀了王的人，借此立功。他扬扬自得地述说他在战场上发现以色列的王受了伤，并为他的仇敌所紧追，所以依照扫罗自己的要求，这个报信的人就把他杀了；并把他头上的冠冕，臂上的金镯子带来给大卫。他确信这个信息必为大卫所欢迎，而且他所行的事必可得到特殊的嘉奖。[20]{PP 694.4}
§42
It was the third day since David and his warriors returned to Ziklag. As they labored to restore their ruined homes, they watched with anxious hearts for tidings of the battle which they knew must have been fought between Israel and the Philistines. Suddenly a messenger entered the town, with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head. He was at once brought to David, before whom he bowed with reverence, expressing recognition of him as a powerful prince, whose favor he desired. David eagerly inquired how the battle had gone. The fugitive reported Sauls defeat and death, and the death of Jonathan. But he went beyond a simple statement of facts. Evidently supposing that David must cherish enmity toward his relentless persecutor, the stranger hoped to secure honor to himself as the slayer of the king. With an air of boasting the man went on to relate that during the battle he found the monarch of Israel wounded, and sore pressed by his foes, and that at his own request the messenger had slain him. The crown from his head and the golden bracelets from his arm he had brought to David. He confidently expected that these tidings would be hailed with joy, and that a rich reward would be his for the part that he had acted.{PP 694.4}[20]
§43
但是，“大卫就撕裂衣服，跟随他的人也是如此。而且悲哀，哭号，禁食到晚上，是因扫罗和他儿子约拿单，并耶和华的民以色列家的人，倒在刀下。”[21]{PP 695.1}
§44
But David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: and they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.{PP 695.1}[21]
§45
噩耗传来，惊魂方定之后，大卫就想到这个陌生的报信人和他自己所承认的罪。大卫问那少年人说：“你是哪里的人？”他回答说：“我是亚玛力客人的儿子。大卫说：你伸手杀害耶和华的受膏者，怎么不畏惧呢？”大卫自己曾经有两次机会可以杀害扫罗；但在别人劝他下手时，他还不肯害那因上帝的命令而分别出来治理以色列的人。然而这个亚玛力人竟敢夸口说自己曾经杀死以色列的王。他既说自己犯了该死的罪，于是刑罚立时就临到他身上，大卫说：“你流人血的罪，归到自己的头上，因为你亲口作见证，说：我杀了耶和华的受膏者。”[22]{PP 695.2}
§46
The first shock of the fearful tidings past, Davids thoughts returned to the stranger herald, and the crime of which, according to his own statement, he was guilty. The chief demanded of the young man, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lords anointed? Twice David had had Saul in his power; but when urged to slay him, he had refused to lift his hand against him who had been consecrated by the command of God to rule over Israel. Yet the Amalekite feared not to boast that he had slain the king of Israel. He had accused himself of a crime worthy of death, and the penalty was inflicted at once. David said, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lords anointed.{PP 695.2}[22]
§47
大卫为扫罗阵亡的悲伤，是真诚而深切的，足以表明他的豁达大度。他没有因他仇敌的败亡而欣喜。那拦阻他登上以色列王位的障碍已经排除了，但他没有因此而表示欣喜。扫罗的死使大卫忘却了扫罗的背信和暴虐，如今他只想到扫罗历史中一些高尚和伟大的事迹。大卫把扫罗的名字，与那具有真诚无私之友情的约拿单的名字相提并论。[23]{PP 695.3}
§48
Davids grief at the death of Saul was sincere and deep, evincing the generosity of a noble nature. He did not exult in the fall of his enemy. The obstacle that had barred his access to the throne of Israel was removed, but at this he did not rejoice. Death had obliterated the remembrance of Sauls distrust and cruelty, and now nothing in his history was thought of but that which was noble and kingly. The name of Saul was linked with that of Jonathan, whose friendship had been so true and so unselfish.{PP 695.3}[23]
§49
大卫为哀悼他们而从真情流露出来的诗歌，成了当时以列国和后世上帝子民极宝贵的文献：“以色列啊，你尊荣者在山上被杀。大英雄何竟死亡！不要在迦特报告，不要在亚实基伦街上传扬，免得非利士的女子欢乐，免得未受割礼之人的女子矜夸。基利波山哪，愿你那里没有雨露，愿你田地无土产可作供物，因为英雄的盾牌，在那里被污丢弃。扫罗的盾牌，仿佛未曾抹油。……扫罗和约拿单，活时相悦相爱，死时也不分离。他们比鹰更快，比狮子还强。以色列的女子啊，当为扫罗哭号。他曾使你们穿朱红色的美衣，使你们衣服有黄金的装饰。英雄何竟在阵上仆倒！约拿单何竟在山上被杀！我兄约拿单哪，我为你悲伤！我甚喜悦你，你向我发的爱情奇妙非常，过于妇女的爱情。英雄何竟仆倒！战具何竟灭没！”（撒下1:19-27）[24]{PP 696.1}
§50
The song in which David gave utterance to the feelings of his heart became a treasure to his nation, and to the people of God in all subsequent ages: Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen! 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 triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul as of one not anointed with oil. . . . 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. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Thy love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished! 2 Samuel 1:19-27, R.V.{PP 696.1}[24]