Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
Mountains of Gilboa, may no dew or rain fall on you, and may your fields produce no offerings, because that's where the shield of the mighty warrior was disgracefully thrown down—the shield of Saul, as if he had never been anointed as king.
David is cursing the mountains where King Saul died in battle, expressing his deep grief that such a great leader fell there in defeat.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of David's famous lament after learning that King Saul and his son Jonathan died in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. Despite Saul's jealousy and attempts to kill him, David deeply respected Saul as God's anointed king. In ancient times, throwing down one's shield was a sign of disgraceful defeat, and the lack of dew and rain would make the land barren and unproductive.
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