Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied. New Living Translation The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work. They shed the blood of their enemies and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes. English Standard Version “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. Berean Standard Bible From 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. Berean Literal Bible From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. King James Bible 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. New King James Version From the blood of the slain, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. New American Standard Bible “From the blood of those slaughtered, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return unstained. NASB 1995 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. NASB 1977 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. Legacy Standard Bible From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. Amplified Bible “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. Berean Annotated Bible From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan (YHWH has given) did not retreat, and the sword of Saul (desired) did not return empty. Christian Standard Bible Jonathan’s bow never retreated, Saul’s sword never returned unstained, from the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty. Holman Christian Standard Bible Jonathan’s bow never retreated, Saul’s sword never returned unstained, from the blood of the slain, from the bodies of the mighty. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version The arrows of Jonathan struck, and warriors died. The sword of Saul cut the enemy apart. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation From the blood of those killed and the fat of the warriors, Jonathan's bow did not turn away, nor did Saul's sword return unused. Good News Translation Jonathan's bow was deadly, the sword of Saul was merciless, striking down the mighty, killing the enemy. International Standard Version From the blood of the slain, from the blood of the valiant, Jonathan's bow would not retreat nor would Saul's sword return empty. NET Bible From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors, the bow of Jonathan was not turned away. The sword of Saul never returned empty. New Heart English Bible From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan's bow did not retreat. Saul's sword did not return empty. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFrom 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. World English Bible From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFrom the blood of the wounded, "" From the fat of the mighty, "" The bow of Jonathan "" Has not turned backward; And the sword of Saul does not return empty. Berean Literal Bible From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. Young's Literal Translation From the blood of the wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Hath not turned backward; And the sword of Saul doth not return empty. Smith's Literal Translation From the blood of the wounded and from the fat of the powerful, the bow of Jonathan drew not back in the rear, and the sword of Saul will not turn back empty. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFrom the blood of the slain, from the fat of the valiant, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. Catholic Public Domain Version From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the strong, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. New American Bible From the blood of the slain, from the bodies of the warriors, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return unstained. New Revised Standard Version From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return empty. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFrom 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. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated From the blood of the slain and from the fat of the mighty the bow of Yonathan was not turned back, and the sword of Shaul had not returned empty! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917From 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation From the blood of the slain, and from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan returned not empty; and the sword of Saul turned not back empty. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Song for Saul and Jonathan…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. 23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.… Cross References From the blood of the slain, Psalm 68:23 that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes—the tongues of your dogs in the same.” Psalm 79:10 Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants. Isaiah 9:5 For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. from the fat of the mighty, Psalm 78:31 God’s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel. Ezekiel 39:17-18 And as for you, son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: Call out to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. / You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan. Isaiah 34:6 The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom. the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, 1 Chronicles 12:2 they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): Psalm 78:9 The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle. Psalm 18:34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. and the sword of Saul did not return empty. 1 Samuel 15:8 He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed is the one who is remiss in doing the work of the LORD, and cursed is he who withholds his sword from bloodshed. Deuteronomy 32:41-42 when I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me. / I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.” 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. 1 Samuel 18:7 And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 1 Samuel 31:1-4 Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. … Jeremiah 46:10 For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. Treasury of Scripture 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. the bow 1 Samuel 14:6-14 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few… 1 Samuel 18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. Isaiah 34:6,7 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea… Jump to Previous Backward Blood Bow Dead Empty Fat Flesh Jonathan Jonathan's Mighty Saul Saul's Slain Strong Sword Turn Turned Unused WoundedJump to Next Backward Blood Bow Dead Empty Fat Flesh Jonathan Jonathan's Mighty Saul Saul's Slain Strong Sword Turn Turned Unused Wounded2 Samuel 1 1. The Amalekite who accused himself of Saul's death is slain17. David laments Saul and Jonathan with a song From the blood of the slain This phrase highlights the aftermath of battle, emphasizing the cost of war and the lives lost. In the context of ancient Israel, warfare was a common occurrence, and the shedding of blood was often seen as a necessary sacrifice for the protection and expansion of the nation. The "blood of the slain" serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the valor of those who fought. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages that speak of the consequences of sin and the need for atonement, such as in Leviticus 17:11, where blood is described as making atonement for the soul. From the fat of the mighty The bow of Jonathan did not retreat And the sword of Saul did not return empty Persons / Places / Events 1. JonathanThe son of King Saul and a close friend of David. Known for his bravery and loyalty, Jonathan's bow is highlighted as a symbol of his prowess in battle. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel. Saul's reign was marked by military campaigns and personal struggles, particularly with David. 3. David The future king of Israel, who mourns the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. He is the author of the lament in which this verse is found. 4. Mount Gilboa The location where Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines, marking a significant turning point in Israel's history. 5. The Philistines A recurring enemy of Israel, known for their military strength and frequent conflicts with the Israelites. Teaching Points The Reality of War and LossThis verse reflects the harsh realities of war and the personal losses that accompany it. As Christians, we are reminded to pray for peace and comfort for those affected by conflict. Valor and Loyalty Jonathan's and Saul's weapons are depicted as effective and relentless. This can inspire us to be steadfast and loyal in our commitments, whether in faith, family, or community. The Complexity of Relationships David's lament shows his complex relationship with Saul and Jonathan. It teaches us to navigate our relationships with grace, even when they are complicated. The Sovereignty of God Despite the tragedy, God's plan continues to unfold. We are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances. The Importance of Mourning David's lament is a model for expressing grief. It is important to allow ourselves to mourn and seek God's comfort in times of loss. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 1:22?2. How does 2 Samuel 1:22 highlight the valor of Jonathan and Saul? 3. What can we learn about loyalty from Jonathan's actions in this verse? 4. How does this verse connect to the theme of divine justice in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we demonstrate courage like Jonathan in our daily lives? 6. How does 2 Samuel 1:22 inspire us to uphold righteousness in adversity? 7. What does 2 Samuel 1:22 reveal about the nature of divine justice in battle? 8. How does 2 Samuel 1:22 reflect the historical context of ancient warfare? 9. What theological implications arise from the imagery used in 2 Samuel 1:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 1? 11. 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? 12. 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? 13. Who killed Saul? Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16) 14. Why does 1 Samuel 13:3-4 give conflicting impressions of who actually attacked the Philistine garrison, Jonathan or Saul? What Does 2 Samuel 1:22 Mean From the blood of the slain• David’s lament opens by picturing the battlefield itself: “From the blood of the slain” (2 Samuel 1:22). • The line honors Saul and Jonathan for fighting courageously until enemy blood was shed. They did not shrink from the horror of combat (cf. 1 Samuel 14:13-14; 1 Samuel 18:5-7). • Scripture often links victory to spilled blood in warfare—see Deuteronomy 32:42 and Isaiah 63:3—as a sober reminder that freedom for God’s people has regularly come at great cost. from the fat of the mighty • “Fat” points to abundance and strength, the richest part (Exodus 29:13). On the field it signifies the choicest, strongest warriors. • Saul and Jonathan were undeterred even when facing the “mighty”—seasoned, well-equipped adversaries (Isaiah 34:6). Their bravery matched the best their enemies could offer (1 Samuel 14:48). • The phrase underscores total commitment: nothing short of the hardest battles could satisfy their zeal for Israel’s safety. the bow of Jonathan did not retreat • Jonathan was famed for his skill with the bow (1 Samuel 20:20-22) and for fearless initiatives like his lone attack on the Philistine outpost (1 Samuel 14:6-13). • “Did not retreat” celebrates steady, forward momentum. Jonathan’s faith-fueled courage pressed on until victory was secured (Hebrews 11:32-34 echoes this spirit). • Earlier in the song David urged Judah to learn “the bow” (2 Samuel 1:18), making Jonathan’s weapon a living lesson in bold reliance on the Lord. and the sword of Saul did not return empty • Early in his reign Saul’s sword unified and delivered Israel (1 Samuel 11:6-11; 14:47-48). • “Did not return empty” (or “unsatisfied,”) means every campaign produced tangible results—enemies routed, territory secured, people protected (Judges 7:20 captures a similar image of a decisive sword). • Although Saul later faltered spiritually, David here graciously remembers the season when Saul’s military leadership was a real blessing to the nation. summary Verse 22 paints Saul and Jonathan as relentless warriors whose weapons never hesitated or failed. Their valor secured Israel’s safety against the strongest foes, and David honors that legacy without reserve. The line reminds us that God often works through courageous, sacrificial service, urging His people today to stand firm and finish the tasks He entrusts to us. Verse 22. - From the blood of the slain. In old time, Saul and Jonathan had been victorious warriors, who had returned from the battlefield stained with the blood of their enemies: from this battle they return no more, and their weapons have lost their old renown.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew From the bloodמִדַּ֣ם (mid·dam) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed of the slain, חֲלָלִ֗ים (ḥă·lā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted from the fat מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙ (mê·ḥê·leḇ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2459: Fat, richest, choice part of the mighty, גִּבּוֹרִ֔ים (gib·bō·w·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant the bow קֶ֚שֶׁת (qe·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris of Jonathan יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites did not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no retreat, נָשׂ֖וֹג (nā·śō·wḡ) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7734: To retreat and the sword וְחֶ֣רֶב (wə·ḥe·reḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword of Saul שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites did not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no return תָשׁ֖וּב (ṯā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again empty. רֵיקָֽם׃ (rê·qām) Adverb Strong's 7387: Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly Links 2 Samuel 1:22 NIV2 Samuel 1:22 NLT 2 Samuel 1:22 ESV 2 Samuel 1:22 NASB 2 Samuel 1:22 KJV 2 Samuel 1:22 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 1:22 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 1:22 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 1:22 French Bible 2 Samuel 1:22 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 1:22 From the blood of the slain (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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