English Standard Version
2 Samuel 1:26
26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.
2 Samuel 1:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
- New International Version (NIV)I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.
- New Living Translation (NLT)How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan! Oh, how much I loved you! And your love for me was deep, deeper than the love of women!
Context of 2 Samuel 1:26
24"You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25"How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! "Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. 27"How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"
Read all of 2 Samuel 12 Samuel 1:26 word by word
צַר־לִ֣י עָלֶ֗יךָ אָחִי֙ יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן נָעַ֥מְתָּ לִּ֖י מְאֹ֑ד נִפְלְאַ֤תָה אַהֲבָֽתְךָ֙ לִ֔י מֵאַהֲבַ֖ת נָשִֽׁים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- I am distressedצָרַרtsârar · to constrainH6887
- for thee, my brotherאָח'âch · brother: compatriotH251
- Jonathanיְהוֹנָתָןyehônâthân · JonathanH3083
- veryמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
- pleasantנָעֵםnâ‛êm · be pleasantH5276
- hast thou been unto me: thy loveאַהֲבָה'ahăbâh · loveH160
- to me was wonderfulפָּלָאpâlâ' · to wonderH6381
- of womenאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · womanH802
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 1:26
- 1 Samuel 18:1As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
- 1 Samuel 19:2And Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself.
- 1 Samuel 20:17And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
- 1 Samuel 23:16And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 1:26
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-27Verses 17-27 Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26surpassing the love of women: Jonathan’s loyalty and friendship with David involved great personal risk and sacrifice. This kind of commitment was stronger than any other relationship David described in his life, including the love he received from his wives. The phrase does not suggest a sexual relationship. Instead, it emphasizes deep loyalty and covenant friendship. The book of First Samuel highlights Jonathan’s love for David three times in 1 Samuel…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 24-2724-27. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, &c.--The fondness for dress, which anciently distinguished Oriental women, is their characteristic still. It appears in their love of bright, gay, and divers colors, in profuse display of ornaments, and in various other forms. The inmost depths of the poet's feeling are stirred, and his amiable disposition appears in the strong desire to celebrate the good…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 1:26
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries