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
In the biblical narrative, this verse is from David's lament after the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, where Saul's army was defeated. David, who was anointed as the future king but remained loyal to Saul, instructs that the news of this loss not be spread to Philistine cities like Gath and Ashkelon to prevent the enemies from celebrating. This reflects the ancient cultural context where military defeats were seen as opportunities for rivals to gloat and gain propaganda advantages.
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