Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, may no showers fall on your terraced fields. For there the shield of the mighty was despised, the shield of Saul—no longer rubbed with oil. New Living Translation O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fruitful fields producing offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty heroes was defiled; the shield of Saul will no longer be anointed with oil. English Standard Version “You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. Berean Standard Bible O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. Berean Literal Bible O Mountains of Gilboa, no dew nor rain be upon you⁺, nor fields of contributions. For there is cast away the shield of the mighty, the shield of Saul, not anointed with the oil. King James Bible 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. New King James Version “O mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, Nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. New American Standard Bible “Mountains of Gilboa, May there be no dew nor rain on you, or fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. NASB 1995 “O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. NASB 1977 “O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. Legacy Standard Bible O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. Amplified Bible “O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be upon you, nor fields with offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, [dry, cracked] not anointed with oil. Berean Annotated Bible O mountains of Gilboa (swollen heap), may you⁺ have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain (no showers falling on your terraced fields). For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul (desired), no longer anointed with oil. Christian Standard Bible Mountains of Gilboa, let no dew or rain be on you, or fields of offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled — the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. Holman Christian Standard Bible Mountains of Gilboa, let no dew or rain be on you, or fields of offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled— the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. American Standard Version 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, not anointed with oil. Contemporary English Version Don't let dew or rain fall on the hills of Gilboa. Don't let its fields grow offerings for God. There the warriors' shields were smeared with mud, and Saul's own shield was left unpolished. English Revised Version 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, not anointed with oil. GOD'S WORD® Translation You mountains in Gilboa, may there be no dew or rain on you or on your slopes, because warriors' shields were tarnished there. Saul's shield was never rubbed with olive oil. Good News Translation "May no rain or dew fall on Gilboa's hills; may its fields be always barren! For the shields of the brave lie there in disgrace; the shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil. International Standard Version Mountains of Gilboa, let no dew or rain fall on you, and may none of your fields be filled with plenty, because in that place the shield of the valiant ones was defiled, the shield of Saul without an anointing with oil. NET Bible O mountains of Gilboa, may there be no dew or rain on you, nor fields of grain offerings! For it was there that the shield of warriors was defiled; the shield of Saul lies neglected without oil. New Heart English Bible You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, nor fields of offerings. For there the shield of the mighty was dishonored. The shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. Webster's Bible Translation Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleO mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. World English Bible You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain on you, and no fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was defiled and cast away, the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMountains of Gilboa! No dew nor rain be on you, "" And fields of raised-offerings! For there has become loathsome "" The shield of the mighty, "" The shield of Saul—without the anointed with oil. Berean Literal Bible O Mountains of Gilboa, no dew nor rain be upon you⁺, nor fields of contributions. For there is cast away the shield of the mighty, the shield of Saul, not anointed with the oil. Young's Literal Translation Mountains of Gilboa! No dew nor rain be on you, And fields of heave-offerings! For there hath become loathsome The shield of the mighty, The shield of Saul -- without the anointed with oil. Smith's Literal Translation Mountains of Gilboa, no dew and no rain upon you, and fields of offerings: for there the shield of the powerful was cast away--the shield of Saul as not anointed with oil. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYe mountains of Gelboe, let neither dew, nor rain come upon you, neither be they fields of firstfruits: for there was cast away the shield of the valiant, the shield of Saul as though he had not been anointed with oil. Catholic Public Domain Version O mountains of Gilboa, let neither dew, nor rain fall over you, and may these not be the fields of the first-fruits. For in that place, the shield of the valiant was cast away, the shield of Saul, as if he had not been anointed with oil. New American Bible O mountains of Gilboa, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor surging from the deeps! Defiled there the warriors’ shields, the shield of Saul—no longer anointed with oil! New Revised Standard Version You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor bounteous fields! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no more. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleO you mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you, nor upon the choicest fields; for there the shield of the mighty was broken, the shield of Saul, who was anointed with oil. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Mountains of Gelbua, there will be neither dew nor rain on you and the fields that are choice, for there was broken the shield of the mighty ones, the shield of Shaul who was anointed with oil! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Ye mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, Neither fields of choice fruits; For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. Brenton Septuagint Translation Ye mountains of Gelbue, let not dew no rain descend upon you, nor fields of first-fruits be upon you, for there the shield of the mighty ones has been grievously assailed; the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Song for Saul and Jonathan…20Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 21O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. 22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.… Cross References O mountains of Gilboa, 1 Samuel 31:8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 1 Chronicles 10:8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 1 Samuel 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. may you have no dew or rain, 1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” Haggai 1:10 Therefore, on account of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. Zechariah 14:17 And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. no fields yielding offerings of grain. Joel 1:9 Grain and drink offerings have been cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests are in mourning, those who minister before the LORD. Joel 1:10 The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails. Deuteronomy 28:38-40 You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. / You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. / You will have olive trees throughout your territory but will never anoint yourself with oil, because the olives will drop off. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, Psalm 76:3 There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war. Selah Judges 5:8 When they chose new gods, then war came to their gates. Not a shield or spear was found among forty thousand in Israel. Jeremiah 46:3-4 “Deploy your shields, small and large; advance for battle! / Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor! the shield of Saul, 1 Samuel 31:4-6 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him. / So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day. 1 Chronicles 10:4-6 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died. / So Saul died together with his three sons and all his house. 1 Samuel 31:9 They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people. no longer anointed with oil. Isaiah 21:5 They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields! Treasury of Scripture You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, on 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 1 Samuel 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 1 Chronicles 10:1,8 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa… no dew Judges 5:23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty. Job 3:3-10 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived… Isaiah 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. offerings Joel 1:9 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn. Joel 2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? not. 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? Isaiah 21:5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. Jump to Previous Anointed Cast Choice Deep Defiled Dew Fields Fruits Gilboa Gilbo'a Grain Longer Mighty Mountains Offerings Oil Rain Saul Shield Vilely YieldJump to Next Anointed Cast Choice Deep Defiled Dew Fields Fruits Gilboa Gilbo'a Grain Longer Mighty Mountains Offerings Oil Rain Saul Shield Vilely Yield2 Samuel 1 1. The Amalekite who accused himself of Saul's death is slain17. David laments Saul and Jonathan with a song O mountains of Gilboa The mountains of Gilboa are located in northern Israel, part of a range that overlooks the Jezreel Valley. This location is significant as it was the site of the battle where King Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:1-6). The curse pronounced on these mountains reflects the deep sorrow and lamentation over the loss of Saul and Jonathan. The geographical setting underscores the tragedy, as this area was once a place of strength and defense for Israel. may you have no dew or rain no fields yielding offerings of grain For there the shield of the mighty was defiled the shield of Saul no longer anointed with oil Persons / Places / Events 1. Mountains of GilboaA mountain range in northern Israel where King Saul and his sons died in battle against the Philistines. This place becomes a symbol of tragedy and loss in Israel's history. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign ended tragically on Mount Gilboa, marking a significant turning point in Israel's monarchy. 3. David Although not directly mentioned in this verse, David is the speaker of this lament. He mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan, showing respect and sorrow despite Saul's pursuit of him. 4. Philistines The enemies of Israel who defeated Saul and his army on Mount Gilboa. Their victory led to the desecration of Saul's body and the loss of Israelite territory. 5. Jonathan Saul's son and David's close friend, who also died in the battle on Mount Gilboa. His death is deeply mourned by David in the surrounding passages. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's tragic end serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. His failure to fully obey God's commands led to his downfall and the loss of his kingdom. Respect for Authority David's lament for Saul, despite Saul's pursuit of him, teaches us to respect and honor those in authority, even when they are flawed or have wronged us. The Power of Lament This passage highlights the importance of lament in processing grief and loss. It is a biblical way to express sorrow and seek God's presence in times of distress. The Sovereignty of God Despite the tragedy, God's sovereign plan continues. The fall of Saul paves the way for David's kingship, demonstrating that God's purposes prevail even in difficult circumstances. The Importance of Anointing The reference to Saul's shield no longer being anointed with oil symbolizes the loss of divine favor and protection. It reminds us of the importance of living under God's anointing and guidance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 1:21?2. How does 2 Samuel 1:21 reflect David's lament for Saul and Jonathan? 3. What does "no rain or fields of offerings" signify in this context? 4. How can we honor leaders despite their flaws, as David did in 2 Samuel? 5. What other scriptures emphasize mourning and respect for God's anointed? 6. How can we apply David's respect for Saul to our relationships today? 7. Why does 2 Samuel 1:21 curse the mountains of Gilboa? 8. What is the significance of Saul's shield not being anointed with oil in 2 Samuel 1:21? 9. How does 2 Samuel 1:21 reflect David's lament for Saul and Jonathan? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 1? 11. How do we reconcile 2 Samuel 21:19 (attributing Goliath's death to Elhanan) with David's victory in 1 Samuel 17? 12. 1 Chronicles 20:5: Why does this text say Elhanan killed Goliath's brother, whereas 2 Samuel 21:19 seems to conflict about who killed Goliath? 13. How can 1 Samuel 31:4-5 claim Saul died by falling on his own sword if 2 Samuel 1:10 says an Amalekite killed him? 14. How can 1 Chronicles 10's account that Saul died by falling on his own sword (1 Chronicles 10:4) be reconciled with 2 Samuel 1:10, where an Amalekite claims to have killed him? What Does 2 Samuel 1:21 Mean O mountains of Gilboa• David speaks directly to the hills where Saul and Jonathan fell (1 Samuel 31:1-6), treating the landscape itself as a witness to tragedy. • Scripture often personifies creation in moments of judgment or mourning—see Jeremiah 22:29 “O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD!” and Habakkuk 2:11. • The address highlights that a specific, real place has become forever linked to covenant failure and royal death. may you have no dew or rain • David pronounces a curse, withholding the very moisture that sustains life (Deuteronomy 11:11-17; Zechariah 14:17). • Dew and rain are gifts from God (Psalm 147:8); their absence signals divine displeasure. • By invoking this loss, David underscores the seriousness of Israel’s defeat and Saul’s fall—nature itself should mirror the nation’s grief. no fields yielding offerings of grain • Grain offerings were brought to the tabernacle as acts of worship (Leviticus 2:1-16). • If crops wither, there can be no firstfruits, no joyous thanksgiving—symbolizing broken fellowship with God (Joel 1:9-12). • The curse thus stretches from physical barrenness to spiritual barrenness, linking the battlefield to the altar. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled • “The mighty” refers to Saul, Jonathan, and Israel’s elite warriors (2 Samuel 1:19). • A defiled shield suggests dishonor in death; the protective symbol lies sullied in enemy hands (1 Samuel 31:9-10). • Scripture equates defilement with shame (Psalm 79:1). The fallen shields testify that Israel’s strength has failed apart from God. the shield of Saul • David, though long pursued by Saul, shows genuine respect for “the LORD’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:6; 26:11). • By isolating Saul’s shield, David personalizes the loss: this is not merely Israel’s defeat; it is the end of Saul’s divinely appointed kingship. • The mention reinforces Romans 13:1’s principle that earthly authority is instituted by God and should be honored even in failure. no longer anointed with oil • Kings were consecrated with oil to signify God’s Spirit and favor (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13). • A shield typically received oil to keep the leather supple (Isaiah 21:5), so the phrase carries a double sense: the king’s royal anointing and the battlefield reality of an unused, unmaintained shield. • The cessation of anointing signals finality—Saul’s reign and life have ended; the Spirit’s empowering for that role has passed (1 Samuel 15:26-28). • It also anticipates David’s own anointed rule, reminding readers that leadership remains under God’s sovereign timing (Psalm 75:6-7). summary David’s lament turns the very soil of Gilboa into a canvas of judgment and grief. He curses the mountains with drought to mirror Israel’s sorrow, links harvest failure to spiritual desolation, and spotlights Saul’s desecrated shield as evidence of broken leadership. Every phrase honors the fallen king as God’s anointed, affirms the reality of divine judgment, and prepares hearts to look to God for the next chapter of His faithful, sovereign plan. (21) Nor fields of offerings.--This somewhat obscure expression seems to mean, "Let there not be upon you those fruitful fields from which may be gathered the offerings of first-fruits." Of course, this malediction upon the mountains of Gilboa is to be understood as it was meant, only in a poetical sense.Vilely cast away.--Another sense of this word is defiled. The ancient versions, as well as modern commentators, adopt some one, and some the other meaning, either of which is appropriate. As though he had not been anointed.--This translation follows the Vulg., and makes a good sense = as though Saul had not been a king; but it is more than doubtful if the original can bear this construction. There is no pronoun in the Hebrew, and the word "anointed" refers to the shield, "the shield of Saul not anointed with oil." It was customary to oil metal shields, as well as those of wood and leather, for their preservation, and the idea here is that Saul's shield was thrown away uncared for. Verse 21. - Fields of offerings; Hebrew, fields of terumoth. The terumoth were heave offerings (Leviticus 7:14, 32), and the Vulgate, regarding these as thank offerings, translates, "Fields of firstfruits." The sense would thus be, "Fields of corn such as was used for heave offerings." Still, this gives us no suitable meaning; for Gilboa was not a place fit for the growth of corn; and Theodoret, in his version, has preserved a different reading, which is probably right, namely, "Ye fields and mountains of death." The shield...is vilely east away. This rendering contains a classical idea derived from the Greeks and Romans, among whom it was a disgrace for a soldier to return without his shield. But this imputes personal cowardice to Saul - a reproach which is entirely undeserved; for he did not east away his shield, but remained steadfast unto death. The right translation is, "For there the shield of heroes, yea, the shield of Saul, was defiled," stained, that is, with blood. We have no proof whatsoever that the Israelites had the same notion as the Greeks, and if they had, David would certainly not have put such a stigma upon the fallen king. [As though he had] not [been] anointed with oil. By rejecting the inserted words, we get the original, with all its simplicity, but with all its difficulty."There the shield of the heroes was defiled: Hebrew O mountainsהָרֵ֣י (hā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country of Gilboa, בַגִּלְבֹּ֗עַ (ḇag·gil·bō·a‘) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1533: Gilboa -- a mountain in Northern Israel may you have עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against no אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not dew טַ֧ל (ṭal) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2919: Night mist, dew or rain, מָטָ֛ר (mā·ṭār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4306: Rain no fields וּשְׂדֵ֣י (ū·śə·ḏê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 7704: Field, land [yielding] offerings [of grain]. תְרוּמֹ֑ת (ṯə·rū·mōṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8641: Contribution, offering (for sacred uses) For כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction there שָׁ֤ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither the shield מָגֵ֣ן (mā·ḡên) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 4043: A shield, a protector, the scaly hide of the crocodile of the mighty גִּבּוֹרִ֔ים (gib·bō·w·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant was defiled, נִגְעַל֙ (niḡ·‘al) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1602: To detest, to reject the shield מָגֵ֣ן (mā·ḡên) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 4043: A shield, a protector, the scaly hide of the crocodile of Saul, שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites no longer בְּלִ֖י (bə·lî) Adverb Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as anointed מָשִׁ֥יחַ (mā·šî·aḥ) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 4899: Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiah with oil. בַּשָּֽׁמֶן׃ (baš·šā·men) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness Links 2 Samuel 1:21 NIV2 Samuel 1:21 NLT 2 Samuel 1:21 ESV 2 Samuel 1:21 NASB 2 Samuel 1:21 KJV 2 Samuel 1:21 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 1:21 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 1:21 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 1:21 French Bible 2 Samuel 1:21 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 1:21 You mountains of Gilboa let there be (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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