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.
Jonathan's bow never retreated from the blood of those killed in battle, and Saul's sword never came back without having struck down enemies—it was never used in vain.
This verse honors Jonathan and Saul as brave warriors who never backed down from battle and always fought effectively against their enemies.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of David's funeral song (called 'The Song of the Bow') mourning the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan, who were killed fighting the Philistines at Mount Gilboa. David composed this lament to honor their memory and celebrate their courage as warriors, despite his complicated relationship with Saul who had tried to kill him multiple times.
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