1 Samuel 18:1-5; 2 Samuel 1:17-27; John 15:12-17
FIRST READING 1 Samuel 18:1-5
1When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan
was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2 Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s
house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved
him as his own soul. 4
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was
wearing and gave it to David and his armor and even his sword and his
bow and his belt. 5 David went out and was successful wherever Saul
sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people,
even the servants of Saul, approved.
SECOND READING 2 Samuel 1:17-27
17David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan. 18
(He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah;
it is written in the Book of Jashar.) He said,
5
19 “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath;
proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice;
the daughters of the uncircumcised will exult.
21 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.
22 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.
23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles;
they were stronger than lions.
24 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you with crimson, in luxury,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25 How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
26
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
greatly beloved were you to me;
your love to me was wonderful,
passing the love of women.
6
27 How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”