Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
Don't tell this news in Gath, don't announce it in the streets of Ashkelon; otherwise the Philistine women will celebrate, and the daughters of those godless people will triumph with joy.
David is expressing his deep grief that Israel's enemies shouldn't get the chance to celebrate over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from David's famous lament over the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan, who were killed in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. Gath and Ashkelon were major Philistine cities, and the Philistines were Israel's longtime enemies who would naturally celebrate the death of Israel's king. David's grief is so profound that he doesn't want Israel's enemies to even hear about this tragedy.
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